Balfour protests continue

JOHANNESBURG - Pyres of burning poles blocked the entrance to Balfour’s Siyathemba township on Tuesday morning as 22 people waited in the town’s court to be charged with public violence, Mpumalanga police said.

“They have taken some wooden poles Eskom was using to build extra transformers and set them alight at the entrance to the township,” said Sergeant Sam Tshabalala.

Businesses and schools were closed and at least 60 policemen patrolled the township after municipal offices and shops owned by foreigners were looted and set alight on Sunday and Monday.

“There is no business in the township,” said Tshabalala.

According to a media statement sent by a group called Dipaleseng, formed after a community meeting on Sunday, the protests were related to their allegation that the local Burnstone Gold Mine had not kept its promise to hire half its workforce from the community and to invest in community development.

It was not immediately clear why foreigners’ property was targeted.

Meanwhile, the local government ministry was planning to send a delegation to the area on Tuesday.

The 22 due in court ranged in age from 14 to 35.

A mine spokesperson was not immediately available to comment.

Similar protests last year yielded a visit from President Jacob Zuma.

- Sapa