Thembalethu counts the cost

GEORGE NEWS - Government officials are still determining the cost of the damage after public property was vandalised and set alight during the violent housing-related protests in Thembalethu last week.

The protests erupted after the Provincial Department of Human Settlements (DHS) ordered the Red Ants to demolish illegal structures in Asazani on Tuesday 13 September. Nearly ninety would-be and completed homes built on land belonging to the DHS were demolished.

Angered residents barricaded the entrance to Thembalethu and blocked the N2 highway, where they burnt tyres and rubbish. A youth centre and a R73-million secondary school, both of which were still under construction, were vandalised and set alight. A number of vehicles and a newly built community hall in Asazani were destroyed by fire.

The Western Cape Departments of Education (WCED) and Transport and Public Works (DPW) strongly condemned this incident, labelling it as an 'arson attack', and confirmed that the site offices and storage container at the school building site have been completely destroyed. "This includes all site administration documents, computers and camera equipment. Vehicles and machines were vandalised and materials stolen. Security personnel were chased away," said the department in a statement.

Thembalethu Secondary School is being built in response to steady population growth and an increase in the demand for education facilities in the George area. The finished school will accommodate 1 480 learners and will have 40 classrooms.

The department said it is despicable that criminals would choose to target schooling infrastructure, which is set to add immense value to the community. "Five schools in the area were disrupted by the protest action, which negatively impacts our learners' education at this important time of year when they are completing exams and assessments."

Southern Cape Police Spokesperson Capt Malcolm Pojie said the total damage due to the protests will be assessed after the situation has normalised.

Pojie said this week that the situation in Thembalethu was stable. "The local police will maintain high visibility in the area, assisted by our Public Order Police (POP), to ensure the safety of the community and commuters." He said 13 people have been arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property. The suspects were released on a warning. They are due to appear in the George Magistrate's Court again in October.