Unleashing chaos
Rustenburg – On Tuesday 23 May 2023 a peaceful evening in Rustenburg took a sinister turn as protests demanding improved service delivery from the Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) spiralled into a destructive frenzy.
The R510, Molen Street, and various other areas became the epicentre of chaos, with vehicles becoming targets of rock-throwing and even arson.
Under the cloak of darkness, anger and frustration fuelled the actions of the protesters, leading to a dangerous situation for innocent motorists. The bridge crossing Molen Street became a battleground, with rocks raining down on passing cars, posing a grave threat to motorists’ safety.
As tensions reached their peak, shots were fired in Beneden Street, adding an alarming dimension to the unrest. Eyewitnesses were urged to stay indoors, shielding themselves from potential harm caused by stray bullets. The disturbances persisted until late into the night, eventually subsiding around 23:00.
By daybreak, the presence of the South African Police Service (SAPS) became evident, yet remnants of the protests littered the affected roads, posing hazards to unsuspecting drivers. Motorists were warned to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant for rocks and other hazardous objects strewn across the streets.
Rustenburg police spokesperson, Sergeant Ofentsi Mokgadi, confirmed that numerous vehicles suffered damage from the barrage of thrown rocks, but no reports of shots fired were substantiated. Authorities call on individuals with information to come forward and assist in the investigation.
Platinum Weekly made multiple attempts to obtain a response from the RLM regarding the events; however, no official statement was received at the time of printing.
We all know how frustrating it can be when the services we rely on are not delivered as they should be. It’s important, however, to remember that resorting to criminal actions and putting lives at risk won’t bring about the meaningful solutions we seek.
As responsible citizens of South Africa, we have the power to peacefully protest and demand the basic services we deserve and pay taxes for.
But alongside our rights, we also have a shared responsibility to actively contribute towards finding solutions for these service delivery challenges. Together, we can support programmes aimed at alleviating these issues, benefiting every single one of us.
#FosteringASenseOfCommunity
