Magashule backs Sasolburg team

2013-01-23 13:11

Premier Ace Magashule (Leon Sadiki, Volksblad)

Bloemfontein - Free State Premier Ace Magashule fully supports the establishment of a task team to investigate the municipal demarcation issues in the province, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Minister of Co-operative Governance Richard Baloyi announced the task team on Tuesday.

A total of 238 people have been arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property in Zamdela, Sasolburg, since violent protests broke out on Sunday.

Two people have died in the riots, which are in protest against the merger of the Matsimaholo municipality in Sasolburg with the Ngwathe municipality near Parys.

Baloyi announced that the merger, which was to have taken place in 2016, had been stopped.

Magashule’s spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the task team would provide a further opportunity to consult on the various options which had already been proposed.

The team would also be able to explore new possibilities to address the problems experienced with the current demarcation of municipal boundaries in the Free State.

Magashule urged all interested parties to fully participate in the consultative processes.

Earlier, Magashule said violence and lawlessness such as in Sasolburg would not be tolerated.

The premier has full confidence in the police and the National Prosecuting Authority to thoroughly investigate and successfully prosecute criminal acts during the riots.

One of the people killed was shot dead, allegedly by police, during violent protests at the Zamdela police station where conflict broke out between police and protesters on Tuesday.

Protesters threw stones at police while some tried to force their way into the police station, said provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Khela Sithole.

Earlier in the day, police said another protester was shot dead by a motorist after a group of protesters tried to block his way.

- SAPA