Police in Bathurst have opened a case of malicious damage to property after an attempted arson at Freestone public library on Tuesday amid a fresh wave of violent protest at the tiny town.
Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said the police managed to arrive on time and thwarted the arson. “They managed to singe a burglar bar. The police stopped them before going further. We put out the blaze. A case of malicious damage to property was opened and no arrests have been made.”
Bathurst has been in a state of upheaval since November 22 when a rolling service delivery protest turned nasty.
Since then over 40 cases of violence, arson, damage to property and intimidation have been opened at the police.
Fifty people were arrested and are appearing in court.
On February 10, five houses and two cars allegedly belonging to ANC local leaders, were torched and nine people were arrested for arson. Several people were treated for wounds at a local hospital following clashes with the police.
Ndlambe municipality mayor Phindile Faxi confirmed he had met with the residents on various occasions since November 23 over the following demands: The removal of “lazy” ward 5 ANC councillor Andile Mrasi;
Regular cleaning of pit latrine toilets;
Construction of roads; and
Installation of street lights. “I can't comment about the councillor as a mayor, that is the prerogative of the ANC. We are monitoring service delivery but other demands like building a police station and a clinic is not in our power but we are in talks with the department of health and police and we have made a vacant site available; we are also committed in improving the roads.”
Police had to be called to the seaside town of Hamburg after a protest erupted on Tuesday.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said Ngqushwa mayor Mnikelo Siwisa and mayoral committee members had to address the community to stop the protest.
“No arrests have been made and the community dispersed peacefully.”
malibongwed@dispatch.co.za..