The home belonging to the parents of Ngwathe Mayor Victoria De Beer was torched today. Photo: Free State Central News/ Facebook.
Mayor’s parents home torched over service delivery grievances
It is reported that protesters in Parys turned on the family home of the Mayor by setting it alight over issues of service delivery
The home belonging to the parents of Ngwathe Mayor Victoria De Beer was torched today. Photo: Free State Central News/ Facebook.
The Mayor of Ngwathe Local Municipality in the Free State councillor Victoria De Beer parents home was torched earlier today, Monday, 16 January.
WHY THE HOME OF THE PARENTS OF THE MAYOR WAS TORCHED
It is reported that the aggrieved protesters in Parys turned on the family home of the Mayor by setting it alight over issues of service delivery.
Angry residents barricaded roads with burning tyres and rocks, protesting against water cuts in the area. They also blockaded a busy R59 stretch between Parys and Sasolburg.
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Clips of the house going up in flames went viral on social media.
MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER CONDEMNS THE ATTACK
This senseless act was condemned by MEC of CoGTA and Human Settlements Mxolisi Dukwana, who labelled the incident as a cowardly attack.
“MEC of CoGTA & Human Settlements in the Free State – Mxolisi Dukwana – condemns a cowardly attack by arsonists, on the home of the parents of the Executive Mayor of Ngwathe Local Municipality – Ms Victoria De Beer – Mthombeni, in
Free State Central News
Skonkenville – Parys, today (16th January 2023).”
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Free State Central News reports that MEC Dukwana sympathizes and empathizes with concerns about service delivery. However, the MEC finds no justification for violent attacks on councillors and/or their families or next of kin.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH PUBLIC VIOLENCE
Accordingly, MEC Dukwana appealed to the police to speedily arrest the perpetrators of this cowardly deed that violates the freedom and security of the parents of the Executive Mayor. MEC Dukwama is thus of the firm view that, sustainable service delivery, can only take place, in a climate of peace and development.
The SABC Free State reported on Police spokesperson, Sinnah Mpakane, confirming the arrest of four people for public violence.
This is a developing story. An update will be published as and when new information is available.
