FAMILIES affected by the recent Motherwell unrest are fearing for their lives after they were attacked and their shacks burnt to the ground last week.

They say they are scared to set foot back in their community as they were marked as supporters of ANC regional boss, Nceba Faku, and therefore a target of supporters of Bay mayor Zanoxolo Wayile.

The two factions clashed last week as tensions between the two leaders reacher fever pitch.

The four families from Motherwell’’s NU29 suffered a major blow last week when they lost all their possessions after their shacks were set alight – some were even attacked by axe-wielding mobsters.

 The families said they had lost confidence in the police.

“We want to go and see if we can salvage anything from the burnt ruins, but we are scared. The moment they see us they will blow their whistles and the community members will come out and attack us,” said Motherwell resident Mpho Mtila.

Her shack had been in an area believed to be in the midst of a pro-Wayile camp.

Mtila said she and three others who had their houses burnt had served the ward’s unit which assists the councillor with service delivery.

“We are labelled as Faku’s dogs and threatened continuously,” Mtila said.

“Nobody wants to take responsibility of what is happening. They say it the community who is causing all of this.”

Mtila and her husband, Phumzile Dube, are now living with friends.

The three other families have also sought alternative accommodation and are struggling to pick up the pieces since last week.

Motherwell resident, Nomzi Mbono, said she had lost her means of income.

Another resident, Nomakula Mde, said that she and her three children were living with her unemployed mother in an RDP house, also in Motherwell.

“We have no income and we have to go around picking bottles which we sell in order to eat,” she said.

The families – 24 people in all – said they wanted their case to be heard by a higher office, as they did not seem to be getting any attention from local authorities.

Motherwell Warrant Officer, Dumile Gwavu , said the cases would be treated like all the others.

Gwavu advised the residents to stay in places of safety until the situation normalised.

Pamela Tshayingwe from the municipality’s disaster management distributed social relief to the families yesterday as a short-term intervention. The social relief included mattresses, blankets, food parcels, prima stoves and toiletries.

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Sun May 19 12:17:40 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 4, 2012

Mellow

The two factions clashed last week as tensions between the two leaders reacher fever pitch.
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What happened to freedom of choice? Why cant ppl learn to respect each other’s choices? Fighting for some fat rich cows who dont give crap bout you helps who exactly now your shacks are burnt and they are both nowhere to be found


“We are labelled as Faku’s dogs and threatened continuously,” Mtila said.
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And where is Faku?

The families said they had lost confidence in the police.
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There are no police in SA

The families said they had lost confidence in the police.
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There are no police in SA

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Sep 4, 2012

cornelius

I know its become a cliche, but the ANC has truly lost itself - no disciplne, no vision of a common good, a better life for all, etc. Just dog eat dog , the most vicious dog being top dog.

I don't know whether it will be possible to turn this around - how do you reign in the corrupt and evil, if they are already in such powerful positions ?
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Sep 4, 2012

ancnduntsu

ANC lives ANC leads

VIVA ! ANARCHY VIVA!
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Sep 4, 2012

ancnduntsu

COSATU VS ANC

What a CIRCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sep 4, 2012

Tasto

Shack dwellers? Typical abuse of the vulnerable ones by top dogs these leaders are not even in the townships but in leafy surbubs of PE chances!!
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Sep 4, 2012

ThirdEye

At the end of everything, they will gain nothing but the leaders will be driving big cars.
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