Siphelele Nketo
THOUGH June 30 was scheduled for peaceful demonstrations across South Africa against illegal foreigners, the Kokstad leg of the march ended in tension between police and protesters.
The march started from the bridge area of the Bhongweni Township with protesters calling for immediate action against illegal foreigners. Chanting songs and holding placards in the Kokstad CBD, protesters peacefully demonstrated their call for action and handed over their memorandum to the local office of the Department of Labour under the watchful eye of SAPS and law enforcement.
But tensions flared just after a group of protesters attempted to enter buildings where businesses were operating. Police had to chase them out of town as a way of restoring order and preventing looting. One of the coordinators of the march was Ntlakanipho Hlongwane who said that chaos erupted when people refused to disperse after the successful handover of the memorandum.
“The memorandum called for the government to inspect workplaces to check if workers are being paid on time and getting a decent wage, and also to further inspect spaza shops in townships,” he said.
He distanced the march from the chaotic scenes that unfolded immediately after the memorandum was handed over. He said organisers agreed on a peaceful demonstration, but chaos was not part of the plan.
Police spokesperson Mosa Hlaki confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with public violence. She further said two Lesotho nationals who were undocumented were arrested in Evatt.
The mayor of the Greater Kokstad Municipality, Lwanda Madikizela, has applauded the police for their quick reaction to contain the situation in Kokstad and said if that were not for the police, Kokstad would have been a lot more chaotic.
“Police and security personnel are highly praised for their response in fighting criminal elements that wanted to cause disruptions by looting spaza shops,” he said. He said the municipality supports the call against illegal foreigners, and has conducted various inspections in spaza shops to fight illegal operations.
