On Thursday, the DA voiced its displeasure about the protests that had taken place in Umjindi over the past two weeks. According to Cllr Philip Minnaar, DA caucus leader for the Ehlanzeni District Council, these strikes, which were mainly about demanding jobs, business opportunities and service delivery, are the direct result of Umjindi’s amalgamation with Mbombela.

“Many of these demands arose from the fact that the amalgamation is not working and has left many ANC supporters with no real hope or future. Unfortunately, some ANC councillors are now using the situation for their own personal political gain,” he said.

During a ward meeting held in Emjindini on Tuesday afternoon, community members informed the councillors that they did not want any more violence. They also requested the leaders not to force learners to participate in these actions, as was the case a fortnight ago when pupils were forced out of school to make up rioter numbers.
“These kids were positioned in front of the group of protesters to prevent the SAPS from shooting at the instigators,” said Minnaar.

He said this request from the community had sparked serious tension and the ward councillor, Cllr Jabulani Mkhabela, called on the neighbouring ward councillor, Mandla Mamba, who is said to be the main organiser of the strikes.

Mandla Mamba during the June 2012 riots in Barberton. Photo: Anchen Coetzee

“This resulted in arguments with the community and the panga gang was called in to act as the councillor’s body guards. The ANC regional treasurer of the youth league, Siyabonga Malandule, was assaulted and is currently in critical condition in Barberton General Hospital.

Soon after, all hell broke loose in Emjindini. Apart from vehicles that were either damaged or burnt, three houses also went up in flames and were totally destroyed.
An elderly person was also shot.
The situation became so volatile that the local SAPS had to be assisted by the White River squad who was called in to defuse the situation.  

Minaar said that these state of affairs are totally unacceptable and it is unfair that the residents of Umjindi are being misled and misused by ANC councillors who are taking their power struggles to the streets and putting residents’ lives in danger.
“This is a battle to win the favour of the premier, a battle between two camps within the ANC, and it has gone too far.”
The ripple effect caused by these protests was calamitous. Businesses in town suffered huge losses when they had to close their doors last Friday afternoon when protesters took to the streets. They burned tyres and other rubble which damaged road surfaces and the mob even wrenched cement dustbins from the ground.

“The DA seriously condemns the situation and insists that the ANC leadership urgently resolve its differences so they can stop exposing children and the community at large to life-threatening situations. It is alleged that more weapons had been delivered to hot spots and the situation can now turn even more violent,” warned Minnaar.

They called on the SAPS to deploy more of its members to deal with these uncontrolled conditions. “The ANC should also suspend, with immediate effect, the councillors involved in this tragedy.  The panga gang should be identified and removed from society as they are dangerous gangsters and drug dealers who should be in jail and not walking the streets of Umjindi.”

Written by: Anchen Coetzee / Ama'Zone Media Solutions t/a Africa InTouch
Sub-Editor: Lynette Brink / Letter Linguist