Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Sibongile Manana has called on the management of the South African Police Services to deploy more police at Ogies following the recent escalating riots over service delivery.
MEC Manana rushed to the scene on Wednesday [20 May 2009] after receiving calls that the houses of three councilors had been destroyed and that people were being prevented from going to work by the disgruntled residents.
The taxis and busses had also been prevented from entering the local township. Upon arrival at the scene, the MEC was aggravated to discover that the situation was volatile and called on Assistant Commissioner Nico O'Kelly to deploy more police to stabilize the situation.
The unrests at Ogies began two weeks ago when the residents demanded water, which was later provided by the Emalahleni Municipality.
The community continued to protest because they do not want the current councilors. Subsequently Home Affairs Deputy Minister Malusi Gigaba was deployed last week Thursday [14 May 2009] by national government to calm down the tension.
Deputy Minister Gigaba was harassed and his vehicle was stoned by angry residents before he was escorted to the police station.
Following the rowdy behaviour of some residents which includes barricading of roads, burning of tyres, throwing stones at the police, MEC Manana yesterday intervened and called on the police to "do everything in your power" to calm the situation.
"We are a free country where people deserve to live freely. We cannot fear the few individuals who are holding the whole community at ransom. If the lives of our people continue to be in danger, we might consider deploying the army," said MEC Manana.
The MEC further called on the community and councilors whose properties were vandalized to open cases at the police station so that the police can lawfully arrest the perpetrators especially the instigators of public violence.
The MEC bravely faced the angry "concerned residents" who disrespectfully demanded her to release the nine arrested community members saying they will in return stop the public violence.
We cannot afford to have a Banana Republic! Those people are now under the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. They are subjected to the normal criminal justice processes and they cannot be simply released on your ultimatum.
"We will be setting a wrong precedent. It is unlawful and will only mean that people will continue to misbehave as they please on grounds that they will be released," said Ms Manana.
She however promised to arrange a meeting with her counter part from Mpumalanga Department of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Norman Mokoena as they requested.
Ms Manana was also shown cartridge of live bullets allegedly utilized by police to disburse the crowds.
"I wish to apologise to the innocent people affected by this situation which is preventing them from doing their daily business. We are working very hard with the police to normalise the situation. I am asking the affected people to open cases at police station and report those who are committing crime against them or their properties," said MEC Manana.