48 arrested in Mandlazini protest
The IEC set up a temporary voting station in Mandlazini.
POLICE arrested 43 community members for public violence and five others for setting the Mandlazini community hall on fire.
The suspects were kept in custody and are expected to appear in the Richards Bay Magistrates Court tomorrow (Thursday).
The destructive protest comes three weeks after hundreds of Mandlanzini community members barricaded the suburb of Birdswood, refusing entry or exit to motorists and pedestrians while calling on the local and district municipalities to address their concerns of lack of development, tarred roads, electricity and other public amenities.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) set up a temporary voting station in front of the community hall, with additional stations at Lizwe High School and the Assembly of God Church.
Richards Bay SAPS spokesperson, Captain Debbie Ferreira, confirmed that a large police contingent was deployed to the area and she said the situation was under control.
‘Police were monitoring the area closely and residents have been arriving at the voting stations undisturbed throughout the day to cast their votes.’
Ward Councillor Nicholas Madondo could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
the community members of mandlazini we totally wrong for burning the community hall. yes they were angry and that is understandable. but to vandals the property is totally un understandable. the punishment that they got served them right, although there were innocent people in there too.