Baloyi 'had to act' over Sasolburg
2013-01-24 13:04
Sasolburg - Co-operative Governance Minister Richard Baloyi said
on Thursday he had to act when he found out there was a total collapse of order
in Zamdela, Sasolburg.
Baloyi was explaining to reporters his decision to stop the
proposed merger of the Metsimaholo and Ngwathe municipalities, in the Free State.
"I received information that the people of Zamdela
[informal settlement] are protesting... and that there was a total collapse of
order in the area, all on reasons associated with the differences on a matter
that had to do with local government structures... I had to act," he said.
Violent protests
Residents in the area embarked on violent protests on Sunday
in opposition to the proposed merger.
Since then four people have died, several have been injured
and hundreds arrested. Several cars have been set alight and government
buildings damaged in Zamdela.
A demarcation task team would monitor and ensure all
processes related to the proposed changing of municipal boundaries in the
country were above board, Baloyi said.
He insisted that he had a mandate to stop the proposed
merger to ensure that all concerns related to it were dealt with, "until
we are satisfied that the manner in which it is done is so transparent that it
leaves no space for people to find faults in the process, or reduce that to a
minimum".
Baloyi said part of the ministerial task team's job would be
to ensure that all those affected by the proposed merger had a say in the
matter.
On Thursday, residents of the area began returning to work.
"Everything is under control, although the situation is
still tense," said Colonel Motantsi Makhele.
- Are you there? Send us your eyewitness accounts and photos.
- SAPA
