S. African cabinet warns against community violence

The South African cabinet on Thursday urged communities to refrain from violence, intimidation and looting when raising their concerns.

The violence and acts of looting and the destruction of business properties that took place recently in Coligny, Eldorado Park, and Ennerdale in North West and Gauteng provinces, "is strongly condemned by the cabinet", Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said at a press briefing after a fortnightly cabinet meeting in Cape Town.

The cabinet meeting dealt with, among other issues, a new spate of violence that has swept several townships for the past few days, according to Dlodlo.

In Coligny, North West Province, police fired bullets to disperse protesters who torched properties to vent their anger after two men accused of murdering a 16-year-old teenager were granted bail.

In Eldorado Park and Ennerdale in Gauteng Province, protests over poor housing turned violent, prompting police to intervene by firing teargas and rubber bullets.

In Eldorado Park, eight people were arrested for suspected involvement in acts of violence.

"Cabinet calls on communities to raise their concerns in a manner that seeks solutions without necessarily destroying public property or infringing on the rights of other members of society," said Dlodlo.

As instructed by President Jacob Zuma, law enforcement agencies will deal decisively with violent and destructive protests, the minister said.

The cabinet reiterates this call that those who break the law will face the full might of the law, she said.

All stakeholders should engage with the view to speedily resolving the disputes in Ennerdale, Eldorado Park and Coligny, said Dlodlo. Endit