A TEAM of highly skilled police officers, including those experienced in crowd control, have been deployed to Ermelo in Mpumalanga, national commissioner General Bheki Cele says
"While people have the constitutional right to express unhappiness with any service delivery issue affecting them, they need to do so within the boundary of the law," he said.
Meanwhile, eNews reported that a man had been killed during the protests. e.tv journalist Jody Jacobs and cameraman Linge Ndabambi were attacked by violent protesters.
"They have been moved to a place of safety. The journalist was not injured and the cameraman was being medically assessed on the scene," said e.tv spokesperson Vasili Vas.
Vas said a satellite van and equipment were damaged in the attack.
Live television footage on the eNews channel showed a group stoning a police vehicle, which sped away. Then the mob turned on the cameraman and journalist, who sought cover in their van. The cameraman's hand was bleeding and the vehicle's windows were damaged.
Cele was advised to deploy addition police officers in anticipation of the situation worsening.
"An escalation of violence including the burning of tyres, throwing of stones and firing of live ammunition by demonstrators as well as (the) assault of media crew in the area has demanded high intervention," police said in a statement.
The ANC yesterday said "it condemns in the strongest terms the violent protest that is taking place in Ermelo, Mpumalanga".
"Whilst the leadership of the ANC acknowledges the challenges and the right of citizens to voice their concerns, there is no justification whatsoever for the communities to destroy government and private property. Blocking of roads and destruction of public property which costs taxpayers millions, such acts cannot be condoned," the ruling party said.
Mpumalanga co-operative governance MEC Madala Masuku has also condemned violent service delivery protests.
Police fired live ammunition at the protesters in the Wesselton informal settlement yesterday.
"We did not hurt anyone. We needed to safeguard people's lives," said Captain Leonard Hlathi.
He said police had to act in this way as protesters were also using live rounds. Police fired at walls because they needed to safeguard police and journalists' vehicles.
He said 33 people were arrested in connection with public violence on Monday.
They appeared in the Ermelo magistrate's court yesterday and were granted R200 bail each. The case was postponed to March 8.
Another 11 people were arrested yesterday, eight of them minors.
"No schools are taking place at the moment. The township has come to a standstill."
Protesters and cops fire live rounds as violence rises
A TEAM of highly skilled police officers, including those experienced in crowd control, have been deployed to Ermelo in Mpumalanga, national commissioner General Bheki Cele says
"While people have the constitutional right to express unhappiness with any service delivery issue affecting them, they need to do so within the boundary of the law," he said.
Meanwhile, eNews reported that a man had been killed during the protests. e.tv journalist Jody Jacobs and cameraman Linge Ndabambi were attacked by violent protesters.
"They have been moved to a place of safety. The journalist was not injured and the cameraman was being medically assessed on the scene," said e.tv spokesperson Vasili Vas.
Vas said a satellite van and equipment were damaged in the attack.
Live television footage on the eNews channel showed a group stoning a police vehicle, which sped away. Then the mob turned on the cameraman and journalist, who sought cover in their van. The cameraman's hand was bleeding and the vehicle's windows were damaged.
Cele was advised to deploy addition police officers in anticipation of the situation worsening.
"An escalation of violence including the burning of tyres, throwing of stones and firing of live ammunition by demonstrators as well as (the) assault of media crew in the area has demanded high intervention," police said in a statement.
The ANC yesterday said "it condemns in the strongest terms the violent protest that is taking place in Ermelo, Mpumalanga".
"Whilst the leadership of the ANC acknowledges the challenges and the right of citizens to voice their concerns, there is no justification whatsoever for the communities to destroy government and private property. Blocking of roads and destruction of public property which costs taxpayers millions, such acts cannot be condoned," the ruling party said.
Mpumalanga co-operative governance MEC Madala Masuku has also condemned violent service delivery protests.
Police fired live ammunition at the protesters in the Wesselton informal settlement yesterday.
"We did not hurt anyone. We needed to safeguard people's lives," said Captain Leonard Hlathi.
He said police had to act in this way as protesters were also using live rounds. Police fired at walls because they needed to safeguard police and journalists' vehicles.
He said 33 people were arrested in connection with public violence on Monday.
They appeared in the Ermelo magistrate's court yesterday and were granted R200 bail each. The case was postponed to March 8.
Another 11 people were arrested yesterday, eight of them minors.
"No schools are taking place at the moment. The township has come to a standstill."
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