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Cop stoned during protest in Durban
March 11 2008 at 08:45AM
A police officer was stoned during a protest at Durban’s Klaarwater township, police said on Tuesday.
Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said the officer had been monitoring a residents’ protest near Mariannhill on Monday when he was stoned.
“He sustained severe head injuries and is in hospital,” he said.
Mdunge said twelve protesters were arrested for public violence.
Earlier in the day, at least 500 residents used scrap cars, fridges and burning tyres to barricade several streets leading into the township.
The residents demanded that an African National Congress ward councillor leave his office and move out of the area as he had “not kept his word on service delivery.”
Mdunge said the crowd marched to an ANC office and demanded that the ward councillor leave.
There had been reports that those protesting were unhappy ANC supporters, who had voted ANC member Talent Hlongwa into office.
ANC regional secretary John Mchunu said 6 000 people had voted for the ANC in that ward.
“If only 500 are protesting, they are the minority. Where are the 5 500 other voters?”
He said only the majority could remove the ward councillor from office, not the minority.
No other injuries were reported. – Sapa
http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=nw20080310095921511C324750
Protesters barricade Durban township
10 March 2008, 10:18
Scrap cars, fridges and burning tyres were used to barricade several Durban roads on Monday as about 500 residents demanded that a local ward councillor leave the area.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said the residents had barricaded all entry and exit points into the Klaarwater area in Mariannhill from 6am.
“They blocked the roads and prevented taxis from entering and leaving the township,” he said.
Mdunge said the crowd then marched to an African National Congress office and demanded that the ward councillor leave his office and move out of the area.
“They claimed he was unable to deliver services,” Mdunge said.
Dozens of police officers were deployed to the scene but no arrests have been made yet.
No injuries were reported. – Sapa