Mofokeng condemns ‘sponsored’ protests

SEDIBENG. – Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Mayor Simon Mofokeng has come out sternly to condemn recent sporadic protests that have been taking place in the area.

Following a spate of violent protests in the area which have seen destruction of public and private properties and disruptions to services, ELM Mayor Simon Mofokeng has lashed out at those abusing community concerns for selfish political gain.

“It cannot be customary that every time our communities protest, violence and chaos must take place. We have seen students burning some parts of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) while some criminal elements in Sharpeville looted stores – all in the name of protests for service delivery. We believe that those with genuine issues should raise them within the confines of the law, as our Constitution dictates,” the mayor said adding that the area is engulfed in what appears to be clearly sponsored political acts of destabilisation and anarchy.

“It cannot be that the entire area catches fire simultaneously. We must get to the bottom of this and bring those who want to destabilise our area to book,” he said.

lerato.serero@mooivaalmedia.com