AS CALM returned to Piet Retief after days of violent protests, Gert Sibande district municipality's executive mayor visited the families of the two men who died during riots.
Accompanied by representatives of the local Mkhondo municipality and community leaders, Andries Gamede yesterday comforted the families of Ignatius Mthethwa, 39, and Siyabonga Jele, 21.
The two were allegedly killed by police who used live ammunition to disperse the crowd during a march.
Four houses, including that of Mkhondo municipality executive mayor Mary Khumalo, were torched during the protest.
Also burnt were the local eThandukukhanya Clinic, a community hall and vehicles belonging to the local municipality.
Premier David Mabuza had suspended all Mkhondo municipal councillors, including the mayor, municipal manager and the speaker and placed the municipality under curatorship.