Riots: Gauteng government concerned about number of protests: MEC
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Sapa 7 februari 2014 'A protester swings a burning tyre as they take part in a service delivery protest in Sebokeng, south of Johannesburg, February 5, 2014.
Image by: SIPHIWE SIBEKO / REUTERS
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Statement: "The Gauteng provincial government is concerned about the rise in service delivery protests in the province, human settlements MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said on Friday.
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--- THIRD FORCE - link to unrest - claims MEC Maziboko: -- http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2014/02/07/third-force-link-to-unrest
-- ZUMA BLAMES TRIGGER-HAPPY COPS AND LEGACY OF VIOLENCE FROM APARTHEID --
http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2014/02/08/zuma-blasts-trigger-happy-police-report
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MEC Ntombe Ngekwhe said to The Times: "Our rapid response team and the department have recorded about 50 service delivery protests in Gauteng since last year," she told journalists in Johannesburg. "In terms of cost for the damage... for the department alone it's about R55 million." She said the figure could be higher for the municipalities where infrastructure was damaged.
"SAPS HAS HIGHER NUMBER OF PROTESTS LOGGED THAN WE DO - WE LOG SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS ONLY " -
The police might have a higher number of protests, but Mekgwe said "in terms of service delivery it was 50".
The department condemned the violence and the destruction of property but recognise the right of people to protest.
Mekgwe said the solution to problems residents faced were constant engagement and facing "challenges head-on".
"There are a number of avenues which are available to members of the community to raise their concerns."
She urged residents to be responsible and not to stop children from going to school or sick people from gaining access to medicine or hospitals.
SEBOKENG:
In the past week, residents of Sebokeng, a township south of Johannesburg, vowed never to vote for the ANC again, saying the ANC-led government had failed them.
"No ANC politicians are welcome here. They killed my brother like a dog," said Paseka Rabolila whose brother was shot dead, allegedly by police, during the protests on Wednesday.
BRONKHORSTSPRUIT
In Bronkhorstspruit, east of Pretoria, government officials attempted to do damage control on Thursday after residents went on the rampage this week, torching several buildings including a clinic, hall and library.
THREE DEATHS: ROODEPOORT, BEKKERSDAL, BOITKETLONG:
Mekgwe said the death of three people in the province -- in Roodepoort, Bekkersdal, and Boitketlong -- were too many.
"This loss was unnecessary and could have been avoided," she said.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2014/02/07/gauteng-government-concerned-about-number-of-protests-mec
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'ANC-Third force' link to unrest claims Gauteng MEC Faith Mazibuko:
TheTimes reporters Graeme Hosken and Sipho masombuka report:
07 February, 2014 -- Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko yesterday ordered the police to investigate the "invisible hand" of a suspected "third force". File photo
Allegations emerged yesterday that political parties and other groupings have been infiltrated by people wanting to further destabilise violence-racked communities.
On Wednesday, people wearing ANC T-shirts opened fire on protesters in Sebokeng, in the Vaal Triangle, killing Lerata Rabolila, 26, and injuring a 34-year-old man. The protesters, residents of the Boiketlong informal settlement, were demonstrating about the lack of housing and land.
Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko yesterday ordered the police to investigate the "invisible hand" of a suspected "third force".
Mazibuko's spokesman, Thapelo Moila, said: "These protests, particularly in Sebokeng, have an element of people influencing the community."
Yesterday, Boiketlong remained a no-go zone for a second day, with residents taking control of a railway line, erecting burning barricades and closing schools.
"We will not leave until we have justice. We want those who killed Lerata to be caught.
"The ANC is behind this. Their members, wearing ANC T-shirts, tried to stop us protesting. When they couldn't, they shot at us," said community leader Elvis Motaung.
But a Sebokeng community leader, Themba Mnisi, said "another force" was destabilising the area.
Rabolila's grandfather, Simon Botsane, said: "He went to protest for our rights, for a better life for his family, not to come home in a coffin."
Institute of Security Studies policing researcher Johan Burger said ANC T-shirts could be worn by anyone.
"There is real fear that this new development could become a trend," he said.
Political analyst Aubrey Matshiqi said though it was dangerous to link protests to the forthcoming election, the "division" of communities was concerning.
Sebokeng's destabilisation follows days of violence in Bronkhorstspruit's townships of Ekangala, Zithobeni and Rethabiseng, near Pretoria.
Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said yesterday the protests were "perpetuated" by people who had no intention of paying for services.
"The lack of service delivery is when there is no electricity, roads, sports and health facilities. This is not the case here," Ramokgopa said. - Additional reporting by Olebogeng Molatlhwa
http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2014/02/07/third-force-link-to-unrest
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Riots: Zuma blasts 'trigger-happy police'
Sapa 08 februari, 2014 - President Jacob Zuma condemned the response of "trigger-happy" police to recent violent service delivery protests.
In an interview with Independent Newspapers, Zuma said that protesters also needed to refrain from violence, the Saturday Star reported.
"No, I am not happy. I don't think anyone can be with trigger-happy police. It's not good at all," Zuma was quoted as saying.
"The police need to be trained, especially given the fact that SA is prone to protest. In a place where protest is a daily occurrence, police need to be ready."
Protesters who "carry pangas and burn tyres" also shared the blame for violence, and South Africa had yet to address the "culture and the legacy of apartheid violence", he said.
One such example was the violence on August 16, 2012, in Marikana, North West, where 34 people, mostly striking miners, were shot dead when the police fired on a group gathered at a hill near the mine.
"The fact of the matter is that you had miners on strike carrying every other weapon, actually ready to kill. In fact, they had killed 10 people before the police shot at people," Zuma said.
While he did not want to pre-empt the findings of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry which is probing the deaths, Zuma said there were indications that the police were not the only party at fault.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2014/02/08/zuma-blasts-trigger-happy-police-report
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