Meaningful solutions, only a stone’s throw away

Vaalwater – The violence that erupted on 3 May in Vaalwater is unusual for this quiet little town situated on the banks of the Mokolo River in Limpopo.
 
Community members took to the streets to show their dismay after Modimolle-Mookgophong mayor Marlene van Staden failed to respond within the designated timeframe to a memorandum handed over to her on 20 April.The protestors closed off the R33 (main road going through Vaalwater). 

According to social media, all the entrances were blocked off by stones, tyres were burnt, and some even set their rubbish bins alight to barricade the roads. 
Most shops were forced to close. In one case, employees and customers were locked inside a supermarket to avoid vandalism. 

The police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the protestors.
The mayor was set to address the protestors on the afternoon of Monday 3 May, but cancelled due the violence. “The violence and destruction committed in Vaalwater today is completely unacceptable and the majority of our residents across our communities reject these actions. The police must maintain law and order,” the mayor said in a statement dated 3 May.

The statement also noted that shops, municipal infrastructure, and vehicles were vandalised, tyres were burnt, stones were thrown, and several people sustained injuries. A man on his way to town for work was robbed, beaten, and ended up in hospital. The mayor reiterated: “I am still willing to meet and discuss issues, but I cannot condone any violence or vandalism. The destruction of private and public property will not result in any progress, in fact, the municipality now has to spend money on fixing infrastructure instead of expanding infrastructure to our communities that need it the most.”

Community members said that they won’t back down until the mayor gives them the answers they require. Amongst other issues, the community is complaining about unfair hiring procedures used by the councillors, shortage of water, and an uncompleted sports centre and community hall.

During protest actions on 5 May, police once again intervened, and rubber bullets were flying. By 6 May, and at time of going to press, protesters were at it again. 
Social media reported that protestors demanded the release of those arrested and stated that some of them were minors who weren’t even part of the protest. 
Meanwhile, the mayor and councillors met with grieved community members at the community hall on 5 May, without reaching a consensus.