Six vehicles from the KwaZulu Natal Department of Social Development in Ladysmith have been set alight, by protesting residents who are demanding the resignation of Mayor Vincent Madlala.
It is alleged that a group of residents]forced their way into Social Development offices and torched the vehicles.
Head of Department Sibusiso Ngubane says this is a major setback for those in need of services.
Ngubane said, “These are cars that are used for service delivery, we have our social workers, who go out and help assist the public using them. We have got services that have to continue but now they have since been disrupted.”
“For now we will just wait for the situation to calm down and investigate to see what plans we can put in place just to make sure that we do not have a situation where services are prolonged for a long time,” added Ngubane.
An organisation called Ubumbano Lokuthula in Ladysmith has been on the campaign to oust Madlala, who has been accused of corruption and nepotism.
The organisation has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently intervene.
Ubumbano Lokuthula’s Andile Hlatswayo says the African National Congress (ANC) at regional and provincial level are dragging their feet.
Ladysmith has been brought to a standstill due to several violent protests.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said that the allegations against Madlala would be investigated, while Madlala has denied any wrongdoing.
Police are monitoring the situation.
Vusi Khumalo reports on protests in Ladysmith which have affected; businesses, schooling and delivery of services.
KZN – #Ladysmith: Community Unrest – vehicles torched overnight at Social Development pic.twitter.com/uTbb61ObrX
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) March 12, 2020
#Ladysmith on an access road in Ezakheni tonight. Must the whole town burn before @PresidencyZA does something @MbuyiseniNdlozi pic.twitter.com/ESYTKDa3fv
— Fiona Juan (@fionajuan) March 11, 2020
Why are ‘protesters’ always a faceless mob? Please tell us how many have been arrested and why they think it’s acceptable to throw a petrol bomb at another human being? Why not just open a corruption case against their Mayor at a police station and spare the trucks? #Ladysmith
— Kristina Gubic (@africanscribe) March 11, 2020
#sapsKZN #ProtestAction #Ladysmith: It is reported that there is no public transport available to and from Ladysmith. Two trucks were burnt. #SAPS POP Unit members are on the ground and most of the roads have been opened. #SAPS maintaining strong #PoliceVisibility ME pic.twitter.com/5REReieIUW
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) March 10, 2020
Ladysmith Strike Action against the corrupt mayor – 27 February 2020 – https://t.co/ToAmXqhoAd – #Ladysmith #Corruption #Anarchists pic.twitter.com/prpuMpYT4k
— Inland Finder (@InlandFinder) February 27, 2020
