THURSDAY, 4.30PM
POLICE and troops were deployed in Bushbuckridge on Thursday morning following more violence in the area on Wednesday, when residents petrol bombed two trucks, one of which was completely destroyed, and one of the drivers was admitted to hospital with burn wounds.
Police suggested that the latest incidents may be the work of criminal elements taking advantage of the situation. “We are aware that criminals are having a good ride, capitalising on the violence and road blockades around Bushbuckridge,” said Northern Province police representative Captain Phuti Setati.
The Bushbuckridge area has been the scene of several recent protests and violent incidents as a result of demands by some residents that the area be incorporated in Mpumalanga province instead of Northern Province.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night an African National Congress committee met behind closed doors to discuss the border dispute. The meeting involved ANC branches from Bushbuckridge and Mpumalanga and was chaired by SA Communist Party general secretary Charles Nqakula, who is also a member of the ANC’s national working committee. No official comment was forthcoming after the meeting, but it is believed it was agreed that Bushbuckridge should remain in Northen Province, despite disagreement from most of the 320 ANC members present.
Both the ANC’s national executive committee and the Northern Province government last week reiterated that the area should remain in Northern Province.