A troubled Buffalo City Metro ward councillor is living under police protection after angry residents threw bricks and stones at her home, breaking windows, during a violent protest on Thursday evening.Ward 17 councillor Pumla Yenana has been faced with continuous protest action in her ward since Wednesday morning.
More than 300 residents from NU 3, 4, 6, 9, Eluxolweni and Cuba blocked Qumza Highway and Billie Road leading to the Mdantsane mall, schools and Cecilia Makiwane and Nkqubela hospitals.
They burnt tyres and rubbish, scattered broken glass and placed large rocks at various spots.
Six people were injured when police officers fired rubber bullets at them on Wednesday and more than five people were arrested in connection with violence that broke out in the area.
Following the arrests of some of the protest leaders, residents went to Yenana’s home demanding she step down as councillor.
Yenana, who has been elected as an ANC candidate to compete for the ward councillor position in this year’s local government elections, said she was at home alone when the protest started outside her house at about 4pm on Thursday.
She told the Saturday Dispatch yesterday that the protesters threw bricks and stones at her house, damaging the roof and windows.
The residents accused Yenana of failing to deliver services such as roads, housing and jobs.
“They had two tyres set alight.
“They threw one inside the yard and burnt the other one at my gate. I was shocked at the personal attack now aimed at me and I immediately called my cousin and other people to rush to rescue me,” Yenana said.
When the Dispatch visited the area yesterday, at least three BCM law enforcement vehicles were parked outside her house, to warn off protesters.
Police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said the police arrested three suspects in connection with the protest at Yenana’s home.
They are facing charges of arson, malicious damage to property and public violence.
“They will appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” Mbi said yesterday, adding that the arson charge was yet to be proven through investigation.
He said police expected to make more arrests.
Protest leader Sibongile Mahlubi, who is facing an assault charge, said he did not see who stoned the councillor’s house, despite being at the scene at the time.
Another resident, Nomvula Mahashe, said: “All we are fighting for is the removal of this councillor.
“We are not happy as residents about her service, she’s got factions in the ward and only services them.”
Responding to the call for her removal, Yenana said if people had a problem with her election as a candidate for the upcoming election, they should contact the leaders in the relevant ANC offices.
“The suspects are people I personally know and they have been making these threats to burn down my house since last year.
“Other residents were also angry, wanting to fight back the attackers and I had to stop them.
“We decided to take the legal route and see if the justice department can protect us and we will take it from there,” said the councillor. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
BCM councillor’s house stoned
Ward 17 councillor Pumla Yenana has been faced with continuous protest action in her ward since Wednesday morning.
More than 300 residents from NU 3, 4, 6, 9, Eluxolweni and Cuba blocked Qumza Highway and Billie Road leading to the Mdantsane mall, schools and Cecilia Makiwane and Nkqubela hospitals.
They burnt tyres and rubbish, scattered broken glass and placed large rocks at various spots.
Six people were injured when police officers fired rubber bullets at them on Wednesday and more than five people were arrested in connection with violence that broke out in the area.
Following the arrests of some of the protest leaders, residents went to Yenana’s home demanding she step down as councillor.
Yenana, who has been elected as an ANC candidate to compete for the ward councillor position in this year’s local government elections, said she was at home alone when the protest started outside her house at about 4pm on Thursday.
She told the Saturday Dispatch yesterday that the protesters threw bricks and stones at her house, damaging the roof and windows.
The residents accused Yenana of failing to deliver services such as roads, housing and jobs.
“They had two tyres set alight.
“They threw one inside the yard and burnt the other one at my gate. I was shocked at the personal attack now aimed at me and I immediately called my cousin and other people to rush to rescue me,” Yenana said.
When the Dispatch visited the area yesterday, at least three BCM law enforcement vehicles were parked outside her house, to warn off protesters.
Police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi said the police arrested three suspects in connection with the protest at Yenana’s home.
They are facing charges of arson, malicious damage to property and public violence.
“They will appear in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” Mbi said yesterday, adding that the arson charge was yet to be proven through investigation.
He said police expected to make more arrests.
Protest leader Sibongile Mahlubi, who is facing an assault charge, said he did not see who stoned the councillor’s house, despite being at the scene at the time.
Another resident, Nomvula Mahashe, said: “All we are fighting for is the removal of this councillor.
“We are not happy as residents about her service, she’s got factions in the ward and only services them.”
Responding to the call for her removal, Yenana said if people had a problem with her election as a candidate for the upcoming election, they should contact the leaders in the relevant ANC offices.
“The suspects are people I personally know and they have been making these threats to burn down my house since last year.
“Other residents were also angry, wanting to fight back the attackers and I had to stop them.
“We decided to take the legal route and see if the justice department can protect us and we will take it from there,” said the councillor. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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