Protesters outraged over killing of Mookgopong resident
Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha battled to address protesting Mookgopong residents who demanded that police leave the meeting as anger over the killing of local residnt Ben Matlou continued to simmer.
Mathabatha and his entourage were scheduled to meet with residents on Thursday to listen to community demands, but protestors refused to allow the meeting to proceed until police had been cleared from the venue, amid claims that authorities had failed to arrest the suspect who killed Matlou.
Matlou was shot and killed on Monday as protesters clashed with police and private security. Community leaders charge that Matlou was killed by a private firm guard who had joined the public order police officials who were brought in to quell riots in the area related to a lack of service delivery.
Hundreds of disgruntled residents again gathered on the streets on Thursday to demand that Mathabatha remove Mookgopong Mayor Sara Manyamane, whom protesters accuse of running down the municipality.
They blamed Monyamane for lack of service delivery, including access to roads and water.
Having demanded a meeting with Monyamane and Mathabatha, however, the furious protesters chanted and hauled insults at Monyamane, and were later seen jumping onto the armoured police Nyalas as they demanded police leave the area.
Mathabatha said he was optimistic that government would find solutions for the protesting residents. He said that although it was the community’s right to protest, he was disturbed by the level of violence evident during the protest.