Sasolburg merger stopped: Baloyi Sapa

The process of merging Sasolburg with the Ngwathe local municipality has been stopped, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi said on Tuesday.

"I appointed a task team to deal with the process and this task team was appointed last year," Baloyi said in an interview with a local radio station in Zamdela.

He said the demarcation board made the merger proposal.

"I took a decision, let's stop this process. I gave the task team the powers. It will involve all of the provinces," he said.

According to the proposal, the merger of the municipalities would become a reality in 2016.

Baloyi said he met leaders of concerned residents for talks, and they agreed to stop the violence.

"We have appealed to the leadership that the message must be carried out to the people. The leadership must tell the people that the process has been stopped."

Earlier in the day, protesters tried to burn down the local police station, police said.

A group of youths set a spaza shop alight, but residents extinguished the fire. By noon most protesters had dispersed, while others stood in groups watching the streets.

The violence, which started on Sunday, was sparked by plans to merge Sasolburg with the Ngwathe local municipality, under which Parys falls.

Protesters try to torch police station - Sapa

Protesters in Zamdela, Sasolburg, tried to burn down the local police station on Tuesday, Free State police said.

"Rubber bullets were fired and water cannons were used to disperse the protesters," spokeswoman Constable Lebohang Mareletsa said.

Police vehicles were damaged and windows at the police station smashed.

A group of youths set a spaza shop alight, but residents extinguished the fire. By noon, most protesters had dispersed, while others stood in groups, watching the streets.

Some were overheard saying they would regroup after having lunch.

The violence, which started on Sunday, was sparked by plans to merge Sasolburg with the Ngwathe local municipality, under which Parys falls.

Car, shop set alight - Sapa

A shop and a car were set alight during violent protests by Zamdela residents in Sasolburg.

As the shop burned some residents watched in dismay.

"They stole from it yesterday. Why are they burning it now and where are we going to buy?" asked a woman.

"We are tired of this now," said another.

In another street, a car was set alight and another was overturned.

Jacaranda radio journalist Aldrin Sampear's car was struck with knobkerries and stones while he was inside the vehicle. Protesters threatened to set it on fire.

"I've never been so scared... it was a very scary experience, I now know how it feels when motorists pass the protesters," he said. He was helped by a protester he had interviewed on Monday.

Earlier on Tuesday, a man threatened a Sapa journalist with a knife while he was filming a crowd dancing at the local stadium.

"A man in his mid-20s, who wore a colourful bandanna and no shirt, approached me and asked why I was shooting [footage] and that I should stop," Sapa cameraman Vumani Mkhize said.

"I ignored him and the man again said that I should only start shooting when [Free State premier] Ace Magashule arrives. He then pulled out a knife in full view of the crowd. I picked up my camera equipment and started to walk away.

"He then walked towards me and asked to look at my equipment. I ignored him and walked away."

The protester then left Mkhize alone.

The violence, which started on Sunday, was sparked by plans to merge Sasolburg with the Ngwathe local municipality, under which Parys falls.

Police call for reinforcements - Sapa

Police have called in reinforcements to help free about 100 policemen, civilians and journalists trapped inside the Sasolburg police station by an angry mob.

Light armoured vehicles have also been called to assist.

Rioters have set the Telkom building ablaze.

Earlier police fired rubber bullets at protesters for the second day running.

The police had blocked a road leading to the central business district in an effort to prevent protesters marching into town. They tried to force their way through the blockade, causing the police to fire rubber bullets.

The protesters had moved from the Moses Kotane Stadium in Zamdela, where they had gathered earlier believing that Co-operative Governance and Public Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi was coming to speak to them.

Residents said they had heard on a local radio station that Baloyi was on his way there. Others said they expected Free State premier Ace Magushule to arrive.

By 10am, however, residents grew tired of waiting and started singing and pointing at their wrists. The crowd left the stadium singing "Ace wanyela" [Ace is shitting on us].

Police followed the crowd in armoured Nyalas.

A protester, Vusi Thwala, 26, who was carrying a beer bottle and slurring his words, said: "From here (Moses Kotane Stadium) we are going to town to take alcohol and go to Parys."

The protests were sparked by plans to merge Sasolburg with the Ngwathe local municipality, under which Parys fell.

Earlier on Tuesday, a protester threatened a Sapa journalist with a knife while he was filming a crowd dancing at the stadium.

"A man in his mid-20s, who wore a colourful bandanna and no shirt, approached me and asked why I was shooting [footage] and that I should stop," Sapa cameraman Vumani Mkhize said.

"I ignored him and the man again said that I should only start shooting when Ace Magashule arrives. He then pulled out a knife in full view of the crowd. I picked up my camera equipment and started to walk away.

"He then walked towards me and asked to look at my equipment. I ignored him and walked away."

The protester left Mkhize alone.

Roads in the area were covered with burnt debris on Tuesday. A police helicopter hovered overhead.

Police said 187 people had been arrested since Sunday in the protests.

On Monday, protesters set two trucks alight and injured two police officers inside a Nyala, which had became stuck in mud.

Water cannons and rubber bullets were used to disperse the crowd. Some residents barricaded roads and threw stones at police cars.

Videos

Protests in Sasolburg - Sapa

Dead and critically injured people taken by civilians to hospital - Graeme Hosken

Police treat the injured during Sasolburg riot - Graeme Hosken

 
Violent Sasolburg protests continue - Graeme Hosken

Moses Kotane Stadium just before the riot - Graeme Hosken