/ 26 February 2008

Service-delivery protests continue in Tshing

Vandalism continued through the night in Tshing settlement following Monday’s service-delivery protest, North West police said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Superintendent Lesego Metsi said two houses belonging to municipal employees were vandalised by a group of young people.

”After dispersing at about 4pm, the residents regathered at about 10pm and went to vandalise houses belonging to the municipal employees,” Metsi said.

He said shops belonging to Bangladeshi and Pakistani people were burned and goods stolen from their shops.

On Monday, Tshing residents gathered at a local stadium to listen to the mayor’s report back on the grievances they had given to her on February 9.

The grievances included poor service delivery, lack of opportunities, absence of facilities in the area and the poor council management.

When the mayor attempted to address the meeting, residents started singing and chanting. The mayor could not address the meeting and was escorted out of the stadium by police.

The residents barricaded roads with burning tyres and set fire to a local business and the house of a local councillor.

Metsi said 15 people were arrested on Monday. He described the present situation as calm, but said police would continue to monitor the area. — Sapa