North West Premier, Professor Job Mokgoro, has established a task team that seeks to address sporadic and violent public protests.
“The Task Team is comprised of four MECs and is led by the MEC for Education and Sports Development, Sello Lehari,” said the Office of the Premier on Thursday.
Mokgoro’s decision to set up a Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) Task Team comes in the wake of increased violent protests in the province, which often lead to the destruction and torching of public and private properties.
On Wednesday, the Moretele Local Municipality’s property in Mathibestad was set alight by angry residents protesting over service delivery.
On Monday, Mokgoro called for calm while also condemning acts of violence that that broke out in Klerksdorp at the weekend.
“The Premier condemns in the strongest possible terms acts of murder, public violence and other alleged criminal activities that engulfed Klerksdorp on Sunday and Monday, reported to be as a result of clashes between foreign nationals and local taxi drivers,” said his office at the time.
According to the police, incidents of public violence were sparked by the killing of a local taxi driver, whose body was found with two stab wounds, by the police who were patrolling the area, on Sunday.
The task team also comprises MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Dr Mpho Motlhabane, MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development, Wendy Nelson, as well as MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements Fenny Gaolaolwe.
The Task Team has been mandated to begin interaction with various communities that have been engulfed in service delivery protests as well as all other affected stakeholders, this with a view to assist government find lasting solutions to the problems facing those communities.
“The Task Team will provide regular feedback on all its interventions.” - SAnews.gov.za
