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News24 reports that Eastern Cape police advised on Wednesday that a farmhouse had been torched and several cars stoned and petrol bombed in Kirkwood.
Violence erupted in the town after hundreds of disgruntled farmworkers took to the streets to voice their anger about wage increases. On Monday, three people were injured, including a police officer. It was subsequently reported that the community member who had been admitted to the hospital later died. "The situation continued to be tense today [Wednesday]. Young people in the locations were throwing stones at motorists, whilst petrol bombs were also used on Tuesday," police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana reported. He said protesters had torched a farmhouse in Habata, but no injuries had been reported. "Police deployment has been beefed up and about 38 cases have been registered. Cases range from public violence, malicious injury to properties [sic], assault, and one murder case. Only one person has been arrested so far. Other arrests are possible as the investigations unfold. We continue to monitor the situation,” Kinana said. Freedom Front Plus MP and provincial leader Piet Mey said the party had visited the community on Wednesday and was shocked by the "serious and senseless destruction and vandalism". He added that the protesters did not seem to realise that they were destroying the very businesses on which they depended for a future income and their families' survival. Mey said it was clear that emotions were still running high and that the situation remained volatile.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24
- Lees ook, Miljoene se skade toe trekkers in Kirkwood brand, by Maroela Media
- En verder, Kirkwood-onrus: Boere én gemeenskap ly onder geweldpeging, by Maroela Media
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page