ALMOST two months after the East London City Hall was attacked during a violent municipal protest, the damage caused by a petrol bomb remains visible.
The heritage site was petrol-bombed on February 5 when more than 400 South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) members protested outside the hall against the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) administration.
The members were demanding a 14th cheque.
The Samwu members stormed the city hall moments before the BCM council was set to discuss the R6-million Mandela memorial taxi scandal, leading some to believe it was an orchestrated move.
The Daily Dispatch reporters covering the incident were caught up in the violence and one reporter was hit on the shoulder and foot by chunks of concrete thrown by protesters.
A petrol bomb was thrown into the old council chamber room – where committee meetings are held – and the flames burnt curtains and floor covers and damaged tables and chairs.
Following the incident, 33 Samwu members were arrested and appeared in court on charges of public violence, attending an illegal gathering, arson and malicious damage to property.
They were each released on R500 bail and the matter was postponed to Friday.
BCM communications manager Keith Ngesi initially said the damage to the hall was estimated at R500000.
“The City Hall has been in a process of refurbishment and in the near future the staff will be moved to another venue while the work is done,” he said.
Questions asking for details about the refurbishment were sent to BCM, however, no response had been received from the metro by the time of going to print.
Ngesi said he was out of office and would only return Friday, while BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said he had sent the question to the relevant department and was waiting for responses. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
BCM yet to repair petrol bombed EL city hall
The heritage site was petrol-bombed on February 5 when more than 400 South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) members protested outside the hall against the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) administration.
The members were demanding a 14th cheque.
The Samwu members stormed the city hall moments before the BCM council was set to discuss the R6-million Mandela memorial taxi scandal, leading some to believe it was an orchestrated move.
The Daily Dispatch reporters covering the incident were caught up in the violence and one reporter was hit on the shoulder and foot by chunks of concrete thrown by protesters.
A petrol bomb was thrown into the old council chamber room – where committee meetings are held – and the flames burnt curtains and floor covers and damaged tables and chairs.
Following the incident, 33 Samwu members were arrested and appeared in court on charges of public violence, attending an illegal gathering, arson and malicious damage to property.
They were each released on R500 bail and the matter was postponed to Friday.
BCM communications manager Keith Ngesi initially said the damage to the hall was estimated at R500000.
“The City Hall has been in a process of refurbishment and in the near future the staff will be moved to another venue while the work is done,” he said.
Questions asking for details about the refurbishment were sent to BCM, however, no response had been received from the metro by the time of going to print.
Ngesi said he was out of office and would only return Friday, while BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said he had sent the question to the relevant department and was waiting for responses. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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