Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2015-03-10
Residents of Thembelihle informal settlement say residents of Lenasia are not their enemies.
The two communities held a meeting in Lenasia on Monday to resolve the ongoing tensions which flared up during service delivery protests and when a Lenasia resident allegedly shot at protestors after they threatened to torch electricity boxes.
The protestors than started stoning the resident’s home.
While Lenasia residents believe they are being deliberately targeted by the protestors – Musa Bhaizamiya of the Thembelihele Crisis Committee said their protests are purely related to service delivery.
“Since we started this protests we have never, never attacked even our Somalians and Ethiopions that are living in Thembelihle. It is service delivery issues and we know who owes us electricity, who owes us water.”
The two communities have agreed to bridge the divide between Thembelihle and the Indian community to pave the way forward in terms of working together.
“We’ll meet regularly paving the way forward in terms of working together because we have said to them they are not our enemies” said Bhaizamiya.
Two weeks ago Protestors blocked roads with burning tyres and stoned motorists during the service delivery protests demanding housing, water and sanitation.
The protestors also demanded that Human Settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo address them.
33 people were arrested for public violence.
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