SACP Moses Kotane Province calls on government to urgently engage protestors

16 May 2015

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Province of Moses Kotane Province (formerly North West) has noted with concern the developments of yesterday, 15 May 2015 in the North West capital, Mahikeng. Major roads were blocked leaving many residents stranded as they could not enter or leave the Mahikeng town. We are worried that the protest has affected ordinary people in and around Mahikeng. This was an unfair inconvenience to people who have nothing to do with the matters under dispute. As the SACP we recognise the right to protest however as they do that protesters need to respect the rights of other citizens.

We equally want to warn against the polarisation of the business community in particular and the people of Mahikeng in general. Mobilisation of support for or against the matters under dispute should be discouraged and rather focus should be on dialogue aimed at resolving differences. The SACP calls on the North West Provincial Government to urgently engage the leaders of the Mahikeng protest. We remain confident that dialogue remains the best method way of resolving disputes and only if it completely fails then the other methods become necessary. We call on all parties to accept the urgent need for open discussion and working towards restoring normality in community life in Mahikeng.

Issued by the SACP Moses Kotane Province

Contact:

Patrick Motubatse – First Deputy Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 078 265 5104

Smuts Matshe – Spokesperson
Mobile: 083 282 0666
Email: smatshe@gmail.com