Six Zim cross border buses damaged in SA

Six Zimbabwe cross border buses were damaged while two vehicles, one belonging to the South African police and another to the Musina Municipality were burnt on Wednesday evening as service delivery protests in Musina town turned violent.

The incident occurred at around 10 pm between the border post and Musina town. Members of the Musina Residents Committee are engaged in protests calling for the resignation of Mayor Miss Caroline Chauke and the entire management accusing them of failing to run the town's affairs.

Some of the buses belong to Munenzwa and Deejong bus companies. The buses were heading to Zimbabwe. Nobody was injured in the fracas.

Most of the buses had their windows and bodies extensively damaged when they were stoned by the protesters who also barricaded roads with burning tyres.

Limpopo police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto, said 21 suspects had since been arrested for malicious damage to property adding that they will appear in court on Monday morning.

"Members from the Musina Residents Committee started blocking the road between Musina and the Venetia Mine at approximately 22.00hours on Wednesday.  

"Some of the people from the same committee have been involved in several protest actions during the past few months, demanding the resignation of the mayor and his council.

"During the protest actions, two vehicles, one belonging to the SAPS and another to the municipality were set alight and destroyed in the  subsequent fire.

"Several other vehicles were also damaged by protestors throwing stones at them.

"Our crime prevention team from Musina succeeded in defusing the situation and patrolled the affected area throughout the night," she said.

Lt Col Otto said the situation was currently quiet but tense adding that patrol teams will continuously be monitored for the rest of the weekend.

"Nobody was injured during the incident. We have managed to arrest 21 suspects for malicious damages to property and they will soon appear in court pending intensive investigations," said Lt Col Otto.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Simon Mpembe has condemned the public violence and subsequent destruction of properties. He warned that a zero tolerance policy will be followed towards protestors who turn violent.

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