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Harrismith in mourning
02/09/2004 07:57  - (SA)  

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Police remove barricades from roads in Intabaza township in Harrismith. (Dirk Kok, Volksblad)
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  • Sibonelo Msomi

    Harrismith - Ntabazwe Township in Harrismith was still in flames on Wednesday.

    Burning tyres, scrap cars, stones and poles blocked roads as residents who feel neglected by the local Maluting-a-Phofung Municipality demonstrated their anger.

    Late on Wednesday residents decided to embark on mass action to bring the township to a standstill - preventing any movement of people in or out.

    This is to show that the township is mourning the death of Tebogo Moloi, 17, who died on Monday after being shot by police during a protest march during which a crowd blockaded the N3 demanding government housing subsidies, improved water and electricity services, employment opportunities and development in the impoverished Free State town.

    Premier Beatrice Marshoff was warned of possible riots here two weeks ago but the town exploded on Monday before she intervened. Marshoff confirmed this in Bloemfontein yesterday at a provincial meeting with mayors and speakers.

    She said her office had been in contact with the Greater Harrismith Concerned Residents (GHCR) group, which complained about poor service from the local council.

    "I was still waiting for more information about the issue when the situation got out of hand," said the premier.

    On Wednesday, children were sent home early from local schools and joined youths who were positioned on all street corners ready to act on orders to embark on further action.

    GHCR chairman Neo Motaung said the situation is potentially explosive until the Marshoff or President Thabo Mbeki intervene.

    "We do not trust the mayor, Balekile Mzwango, and his councillors because they have failed us for years. They have failed to install water meters, provide us with free electricity, build low-cost government subsidy houses and create employment opportunities. All they did was to move businesses from Harrismith and develop Qwa Qwa at our expense. There is no development here and we feel the pinch of unemployment," said Motaung.

    Motaung said the provincial ANC leadership has conducted a smear campaign against members of the GHCR. As a result, he said, Motaung has been kicked out of the local ANC branch, allegedly because of his role in complaining about poor services in Ntabazwe.

    He said the group will aggressively embark on a campaign to force government to listen and respond to their demands.

    "We will burn municipal vehicles in the township and destroy their properties if that is what we have to do to get their attention. We have lost patience now and already we have shown that we can mobilise people to bring the area into a standstill. If further action is what will bring our demands to Mbeki's attention, we have the will to do that," he said.

    GHCR Organiser Msizi Mavuso said anger is still burning in the township as police continue to assault and insult people in the streets of the township.


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