Pretoria - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi says he had no choice but to suspend the proposed municipal demarcation that has led to rolling violent protests in Sasolburg, Free State.
Baloyi told reporters in Pretoria on Thursday it would be suspended "until we are satisfied that the manner in which it is done is so transparent that it leaves no space for people to find faults in the process, or reduce that to a minimum".
Residents of Zamdela informal settlement, who barricaded streets, torched vehicles and government property, have opposed the proposed merger of the Metsimaholo municipality in Sasolburg with the Ngwathe municipality near Parys. They reportedly claimed that Ngwathe was badly run.
"I was told by reliable sources that there was no one person on the ground offering a solution to stop the carnage except for our police officers...as what was demanded at the time was an answer in the area of local government - I had to act," said Baloyi.
He said the decision to stop the merger meant that part of the preparatory work activities towards the 2016 local government elections was suspended.
A demarcation task team, appointed last year, will lead facilitations and monitor the process and is expected to complete its work by the end of February.
"The team will also facilitate and monitor that all unresolved demarcation-related questions are given due consideration by end of February 2013," Baloyi said.
Led by former Defence Secretary Mpumi Mpofu, the task team will, among others, establish whether or not the public participation process in municipal boundary changes is effective. It will further probe whether all changes to municipal boundaries will lead to a better state of municipalities to deliver services.
Baloyi said having dealt with these issues, the team would then report back with a view to provide the necessary remedies in case there challenges.
He reiterated that while residents were fully within their rights to voice their concerns against the proposed municipal merger, the reported violence and looting would not be tolerated.
"I am sure the law enforcement agencies are there and justice will be done."
Police said more up to 187 people had been arrested since the protests flared on Sunday. - SAnews.gov.za
