SMS with false information cause of protests

2016-05-18 06:00

System

PROTEST action broke out in Melville on Monday morning which resulted in community members blocking the R102 with stones and burning tyres.

According to KZN SAPS spokesperson, Major Shooz Magudulela, this demonstration follows one that occurred last Wednesday in the same area in which an estimated 100 people blocked the R102 over a lack of service delivery.

He said no arrests were made in both incidents and that on both days of protesting police remained on the scene to monitor the situation.

Melville (Ward 24) councillor Thokozani Msweli said the protests were about issues pertaining to the ANC and that the organisation should comment on the matter.

ANC Greater KwaDukuza Region spokesperson Lucky Makhathini said the protests were over a SMS that was circulated among residents which falsely claimed that a nominee to contest this year’s local government election had been officially made a candidate.

He said the cellphone number that circulated the SMS is no longer in use.

Makhathini said the ANC had formed various teams which were deployed on Monday to areas where protests relating to political matters had erupted.

“Once these teams have met the various communities they will report back to the REC [Regional Executive Committee],” he said.

He said these teams would be deployed to areas such as Melville, Mgigimbe, where protests broke out on Monday morning, Madundube and other areas.

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