Some of Komani’s residents have blockaded roads leading from Mlungisi Township to town in protest of the Komani Town Hall that burnt down the weekend.
The historic town hall is the fourth Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) building to be gutted since last year. Other buildings include the budget and treasury and the municipal publics accounts committee offices.
EMLM spokesperson, Lonwabo Kowa, said the municipality was aware of the protest action.
“The protest action is alleged to be linked to the fire that ravaged the historic Komani Town Hall. Protesters assembled in front of the Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre this morning (Monday, January 31) and blockaded some of the roads leading to town from Mlungisi Township,” he said.
The town hall housed offices of the mayor, speaker and chief whip, municipal manager, chief operations officer and the corporate services directorate.
“Municipal leadership is currently engaging relevant structures on the matter,” Kowa said.
Provincial police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, said a 49-year-old man was arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure.
“A protest action is believed to be linked with Saturday’s incident of arson that was opened after the municipal offices were allegedly set alight. The crowd has since dispersed and there is a heavy police presence in the area,” Nkohli said.
ICYMI | No clues yet on fire that gutted Komani Town Hall
