N2 protests were ‘hijacked by criminals’
A ward councillor
from Durban's Chesterville community has urged the police to crack the whip on
protests steered by criminals.
Ward 29 councillor Bhekisisa Mngadi made the call after violent protests flared up on the N2 two nights ago.
A mob torched a truck transporting six brand-new vehicles near Chesterville and Nsimbini.
The northbound lanes were blocked with rubble, rocks and burning tyres.
Mngadi says while residents were voicing their frustration over a power outage since Saturday, these demonstrations were hijacked by criminals.
"People who are protesting there are criminals, they are there to try to loot cars and not the community from Nsimbini.I need the police to arrest all of them because they don't buy the electricity, they are izinyoka."
Police have opened a case of public violence, although no arrests have been made.
READ: Protestors burn truck near Chesterville, close N2
Community Safety MEC Sipho Hlomuka said preliminary reports show that the estimated costs of the damage from Monday night's protest have climbed to R2.9 million.
“MEC Hlomuka strongly condemns the act of violence and destruction of property by residents. Hlomuka has expressed that there are available legal avenues to voice whatever concerns the community might have,” said the MEC’s spokesperson Thando Biyela.
