Teen shot during Mpumalanga protest
2013-03-12 11:21
Mbombela - The police have allegedly shot and wounded a
teenage girl during a protest in Mayflower, Mpumalanga, a spokesperson said.
"The IPID [Independent Police Investigate Directorate]
will be investigating the matter," said police spokesperson Sergeant
Gerald Sedibe.
The 16-year-old was allegedly shot on Monday by police who
were trying to disperse community members protesting in the area.
Sedibe did not have details about her condition.
Protesters torched the Mayflower Chief Albert Luthuli
municipal offices during demonstrations.
A grader, a water tanker, a van, a truck, office equipment
and documents belonging to the municipality were destroyed in the blaze.
Condemnation
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza condemned the incident.
"I will not tolerate the culture that says when you
have problems with government you should destroy what is your own. By law, I am
expected to protect every citizen in our beautiful province, but I will not
allow criminal activities to rule all of us," Mabuza told the protesters
during a visit to the area, according to a statement issued by his office.
"I cannot run away from you. That is why I am here to
talk to you. If there are problems, let us find a way of settling them down
instead of injuring others.
"Let us not disturb the learners from their classes
because by doing that we are destroying our future," he said.
Community members were protesting against alleged nepotism
and a lack of service by local councillors.
They said their roads were in a bad condition, they had not
received RDP houses and they had to travel long distances to get to clinics and
hospital.
Locals also complained about being kept in the dark about a
shopping mall which was meant to be built, and about a lack of electricity and
water.
Mabuza is expected to report back to community members on
Thursday.
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- SAPA
