At least 400 youths blockaded roads, stoned passing vehicles and robbed motorists in Khutsong on Wednesday, North West police said.
”One vehicle’s windscreen was smashed. They stopped a taxi driver and demanded money from him. They also ripped off his North West number plate,” Superintendent Louis Jacobs said.
The youths had just returned from a mass meeting called by the Anti-North West Forum to discuss Merafong municipality’s incorporation into the North West from Gauteng.
Jacobs said on Thursday there were unconfirmed rumours that an African National Congress councillor’s house had been stoned.
Merafong municipality spokesperson Seabo Gaeganelwe denied these reports.
”It will also benefit the country to have an ethical media reporting accurately on the situation,” he said in a statement.
”In our view violence is not a justified option as there are legal channels available to challenge the demarcation process.”
Forum member Paul Ncwane confirmed that a number of youths went on the rampage on Wednesday.
He said the community had agreed to intensify protests against the incorporation. Pupils would continue to boycott classes, although teachers would attend school.
Ncwane said pupils apparently did not want to write examinations that had been set in the North West.
”We will continue with the boycotts and make this place ungovernable.”
Gaeganelwe said that pupils and teachers had boycotted school for two weeks.
”Teachers continue to be paid for not teaching and this has been brought to the attention of education authorities.”
Gaeganelwe said some of the community had been lured to a meeting because of reports that President Thabo Mbeki would be in attendance.
”The community went to the meeting on the understanding that it was a special imbizo called by President Thabo Mbeki.”
Ncwane refuted Gaeganelwe’s claims.
”We’ve always said that the president must come down here and address the people of Khutsong. We never said he was going to attend yesterday’s [Wednesday] meeting.”
North West education department spokesperson Charles Raseala said his department was aware of the matter.
”We tried to engage with people involved from Tuesday to find a way forward.”
The Merafong local council, which includes the Khutsong township, was incorporated into North West last year. Parts of the municipality previously fell under Gauteng.
The move evoked strong criticism and resulted in violent protests from Khutsong residents. – Sapa