Greenpoint resident shot during Kimberley shutdown protest

THE POLICE in Kimberley are investigating a case of attempted murder after a 36-year-old man was shot and injured during a skirmish in Greenpoint on Monday morning.

It is believed that the Greenpoint resident was on his way to work at around 10.15am when the incident occurred amid ongoing protest action linked to a planned city-wide shutdown on Monday. The protest centred on demands for improved service delivery, lower electricity tariffs, and the removal of key municipal officials. 

Protesters barricaded roads with rocks and burning tyres early in the morning.

Angry residents said they struggled to access medical services due to the roads that were obstructed.

Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers confirmed that the incident occurred near the N8.

“Members of the Kimberley Public Order Police arrested seven suspects, including a minor, for alleged public violence on the N8 near Greenpoint on Monday,” said Ehlers.

While all roads were reported to be open to traffic on Tuesday, Ehlers added that the police would continue to monitor the situation.

Boyce Makodi from the Kimberley Action Group (KAG) condemned the shooting of community members and described the incident as reminiscent of “apartheid tactics”.

“Do not provoke the community. If you shoot, we will retaliate. Whoever was injured will get justice,” he said.

Makodi added that many Greenpoint residents were unable to join the protest march as the roads were obstructed.

KAG member Herbert Miller said the injured resident was currently in intensive care after being shot in the stomach. He also called for the release of those arrested.

The KAG leadership is expected to meet with Premier Dr Zamani Saul on Tuesday, following discussions with the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) on Monday night. The meetings focused on a list of grievances, including demands for the immediate removal of Sol Plaatje Municipality Speaker Dipuo Peters and municipal manager Thapelo Matlala.

According to the memorandum submitted, Peters was in breach of her constitutional duties when she was found guilty by the Parliamentary Ethics Committee of abusing her power by misleading the nation during the State Capture Commission. The KAG argues that her removal is essential to preserve institutional integrity.

Other grievances include the alleged failure of the municipal manager and underperforming directors to provide effective administrative leadership, which protesters say is contributing to the municipality’s collapse.

The KAG has also called for the establishment of a Section 79 committee comprising local stakeholders to investigate allegations of corruption and ongoing governance failures.

Residents pointed out that former Sol Plaatje executive mayor Mangaliso Matika was previously removed, and said the current officials should face a similar fate.

In response, Saul stated that as the provincial chairperson of the ANC, he does not have the power to remove municipal officials.

“Only the PEC of the ANC can remove a mayor. Don’t leave here with the misconception that  I can wake up and remove a mayor, I don’t have such powers. It has never happened, and I won’t promise to do something that I would never do. Even President Cyril Ramaphosa cannot remove a mayor,” Saul pointed out.

Residents who took part in the march expressed frustration that their complaints were being ignored and criticised what they described as inhumane treatment.

“We are beggars when we come here. We are drinking dirty water and paying high electricity tariffs, while they [municipal and government officials] are living nice lives. We are ‘gatvol’ (fed up). We don’t want the municipal manager —  the whole municipality must go,” they said.