The protests turned violent, with the mayor’s home being torched and two people killed during the unrest.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi visited the families of the deceased.
“It’s been a difficult and painful process, but fulfilling that we finally managed to meet the families. No family deserves to go through this pain. It was extremely emotional to lock eyes and interact with families and extremely difficult also to respond to one simple question, but a heavily loaded question: should our children die because of water?”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the deaths.
‘GOVT MUST HANG THEIR HEADS IN SHAME’
Social justice groups have condemned the government following the deaths of two protesters during service delivery demonstrations in Ratanda.
Siyafuna Sonke Action Campaign has called on the Lesedi Local Municipality Mayor, Mluleki Nkosi, to step down.
Meanwhile, the Activists and Citizens Forum’s spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, said the deaths could have been prevented if residents had received reliable basic services.
“Water is a basic right. The government must hang their heads in shame that people are still losing their lives for water after 31-years into a democracy. We condemn this reckless action by the police.”
Thabiso Goba
www.ewn.co.za
