Siphelele Nketo
ORDER and calm were restored at the municipal offices in Ingquza Hill, Lusikisiki following the chaotic incident on Tuesday, August 18, that led to the intervention by police.
It was reported that an angry group of locals stormed the municipality building and demanded to speak to Mayor Nonkosi Pepping on the issue of illegal foreigners allegedly trading in the town of Lusikisiki. Pepping was not around that day.
However, the group allegedly closed the municipality’s gates and demanded to wait inside the building until Pepping arrived to address them.
Municipal employees were even prevented from going outside. As a result, SAPS were called to intervene.
After the group was chased away from the building, municipal employees were immediately sent home. The following day the situation calmed down and everything returned to normal, according to Lwando Nonkonyana, the municipal spokesperson.
“A meeting with aggrieved parties was convened on Wednesday,” he said. It was reported that the community’s frustration followed a petition that was sent to the municipality on June 30 to seek immediate intervention regarding illegal foreign nationals in the area.
Nonkonyana said the matter of illegal foreign nationals was being addressed by the municipality, which was working with all involved departments and stakeholders.
“Closing municipal gates was uncalled for, and we categorically want to express our condemnation of such acts. The issue of illegal foreigners is not a municipal matter only but an inter-governmental matter that needs a multidisciplinary solution. It needs various branches of government. Communities are urged to be tolerant as the matter is getting attention,” he concluded.
