The ANC culture of anarchy once again resulted in South African citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement and personal safety and security being violated this past week due to violent protests on the N12 that runs through Potchefstroom.
The route that runs next to the Ikageng informal settlement at Potchefstroom and that serves as the aorta of the North West province’s economy was blocked due to protests by Ikageng residents.
Since Monday the 24th of June 2019, the national route was sporadically obstructed with rocks, wire and burning tires by protesters. The road has been totally inaccessible for the last two days and innocent, law-abiding citizens’ vehicles and even trucks have been damaged.
Earlier this week, the FF Plus wanted to carry out a personal inspection of the situation. Fanie du Toit, member of the National Council of Provinces, was bombarded with stones by protesters who are seemingly driven to destroy and who will not spare anyone.
The FF Plus then contacted the North West Premier’s office, the MEC for Cooperative governance, Gordon Kegakilwe, and the deputy Police Commissioner along with other stakeholders regarding the situation in an attempt to find a solution. Kgotso Khumalo, the mayor of the JB Marks Municipality, which includes Ikageng, was not available.
Ikageng residents are unhappy about, among other things, service delivery and housing. The situation became so volatile that an ANC councillor was allegedly held hostage while people demanded that he must resign. Various roads in Ikageng have been blocked and even broken up and that makes service delivery even more difficult.
Kegakilwe and mayor Khumalo tried to address the aggrieved residents under police protection on 26 June 2019, but were unable to defuse the situation.
The police opened the N12 for traffic again on Wednesday evening after police reinforcements were deployed along the route and in Ikageng. Offenders were arrested.
South Africa’s economy cannot afford to be held hostage by lawless elements and criminals. The police must be ruthless in taking action against offenders who damage infrastructure and who violate the rights of law-abiding citizens.
The government needs to realise that our economy will not grow with empty promises and pipe dreams, it needs a safe environment where law and order is maintained.
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Fanie du Toit on FF Plus
South Africa Today – South Africa News
Violent protests, N12 blocked, roads dug up, truck looted, Potchefstroom
25 Years of destruction proves the ANC cannot govern or grow the economy
