Furious mob of 1,000 black people go on violent rampage: stone ANC-mayor's car, torch police station, library, bus, hall, Ethiopian shops - Ethiopian shop owners at Kwazomokihle township claim they've lost everything.
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25 June 2013 report by LookLocal journalists Yaseen Gaffar and Corrie Wolmarans - A furious mob of more than 1 000 people went on a violent rampage in the township of KwaZamokuhle in Hendrina on Sunday - threatening violence against Mayor Mike Masina and other Councillors whom they blockaded at the community stadium for almost 30 minutes.
But this was not before they stoned the Mayor's vehicle and interrupted his speech in which he addressed several concerns raised by KwaZamokuhle residents about a week earlier regarding service delivery. The residents are demanding among others a mall, a hospital and a clinic.
Shortly after Mayor Masina and Councillors were provided safe passage by the Hendrina SAPS and left the area, the angry mob went on to burn a library, satellite police station and community hall.
The residents also burnt shops belonging to foreign nationals on Sunday night. Mostly Ethiopian shop owners were affected. They stated that at least 30 of their businesses were completely looted.
"Our walls were broken down with sledgehammers. We fled for our lives. Every single item was stolen - even chappies. Fridges were unplugged and carried away," said Ethiopian national Ayele Abush.
Just over 50 Ethiopians are currently being accommodated at the local police station - most of whom claim that they've not a single cent left in their pocket. Hendrina police spokesperson, David Mbenekazi, said five people have been detained on allegations of arson, public violence and malicious damage to property They are yet to be formally charged.
"The investigation is ongoing and we expect to make more arrests during the course of the week," he said.
• The residents of Kwazamokuhle held a protest march to Hendrina Municipal buildings on 10 June 2013 to hand over a memorandum to Mayor Masina - but he was not present to receive it and this infuriated the protestors.
Angry residents made some serious threats towards the Mayor's office as they waited for two hours for him to arrive - only to be informed that he was in a meeting in Nelspruit. Protestors dispersed and went back home. The following Friday, on 14 June 2013, residents blocked the Arnot - Hendrina road, burnt tyres and stoned vehicles. A Police task force was called in to help subdue the unrest and 37 people were arrested on charges of public violence.
Black clouds of smoke could be seen for miles around Kwazamokuhle. Three people were taken to hospital to be treated for rubber bullet wounds they sustained during the protest.
The people of Kwazamokuhle and Hendrina want a Police Station in Kwazamokuhle, a 24 hour Clinic and English Medium Schools - all before the 2014 elections.
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http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/middelburg/middelburg-news-municipal?oid=7566329&sn=Detail&pid=4979893&Protesters-loot-shops--burn-down-Police-Station
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