South Africa rocked by more violent protests

JOHANNESBURG – Two more violent service delivery protests rocked South Africa yesterday in which state buildings were burnt and police cars stoned.

In Thokoza, on the East Rand, police used rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of angry protesters who blocked roads and stoned police vehicles.’They marched to the municipal offices this morning [Tuesday] and found that it was closed due to the strike in that sector. ‘After returning to the Thokoza hostel, they toppled dustbins and flung stones at state vehicles,’ police Captain Godfrey Maditsi said.Maditsi said police had to then use rubber bullets to calm the crowd of about 200.Police were expected to monitor the area into today.When Sapa spoke to Maditsi at about 4pm, he said the situation there had returned to normal.Following the protests in Thokoza, the municipality intervened by forming a task team to deal with the concerns of the community.Concerns included cleanliness and electrification of the hostel.In Mpumalanga, in Simile township near Sabie, about 500 residents went on a rampage yesterday.They torched a library and municipal vehicles. A policeman was hurt in the violence.Two municipal tractors, a fire engine, a bakkie and a truck were burnt out, Superintendent Abie Khoabane said.Rubber bullets were also used to disperse the irate residents there. Khoabane earlier said they would continue to monitor the area.But, by Tuesday afternoon the situation was under control.Violence in Simile broke out after residents allegedly lodged grievances with the provincial government two weeks ago, and had not yet received a response.This in the wake of similar protest action at Balfour in the same province, where foreigners were targeted.Violence there saw intervention this week by deputy Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, after the community called for the resignation of the entire municipal council.Other provinces affected by violent protests also include the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. – Nampa-Sapa