ANC blamed for Harrismith riot
31/08/2004 21:24 - (SA)
Bloemfontein - Opposition parties in the Free State on Tuesday blamed the African National Congress for this week's riot in Harrismith which led to the death of a 17-year-old youth.
The Democratic Alliance said: "The ANC must take responsibility for the riots that occurred near Harrismith.
"The lack of communication between the senior management of the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality and the community had been a matter of concern.
"In June 2003, the DA asked the former Free State MEC for local government and housing, Lechesa Tsenoli, to intervene."
The DA said the previous municipal manager Kenny Leluma also voiced his concern in a letter to the ANC management in both the eastern Free State region and the province.
Leluma had said there was a growing feeling that the ANC in the region was not giving the help needed to avoid the eminent collapse of corporate governance in Maluti-a-Phofung municipality.
'Did not come as a surprise'
The DA said Monday's riots were an indication that communities were "fed up" with having to pay the price for the ANC's crisis with local governments.
African Christian Democratic Party chairman Casper Nordier said on Tuesday: "The boiling over of unpleasantness at Maluti-a-Phofung did not come as a surprise."
The party said reports of the auditor-general on conditions in Free State municipalities did not paint a pleasant picture.
However, ANC provincial secretary Pat Matosa said on Tuesday the party was in touch with the situation.
"Political parties in the region and the business community have already met among themselves and will meet with the mayor and the police on Tuesday," said Matosa.
There were plans to meet the community on Wednesday to assess the situation and to talk about the reasons for the riots.
"The ANC condemns the use of excessive force by the police in this situation," said Matosa.
Grievances outlined in a memorandum
"It was not necessary, despite the volatile situation that prevailed."
Matosa said the municipality must meet the grievances of the community as outlined in a memorandum handed over to them, within the ambit of resources that were available.
The provincial executive committee of the ANC would meet on September 6 to discuss a report on the matter.
"After that. we will engage with our comrades at all levels in the province as well as those at the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality," said Matosa.
Edited by Iaine Harper
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