There has been so much said and written about Mosselkana (as a resident aptly called the currently ongoing riots in Mossel Bay). I am an old Mossel Bay resident – I stayed in Mossel Bay for 12 years, and although I’ve moved to George, a neighbouring town, Mossel Bay will always stay close to my heart.
The current riots are all over the media. It is heartbreaking. For those of you who don’t know – the riots were sparked because the municipality disconnected illegal electricity cables and the users no longer had access to electricity. Their reaction? Burn down buildings, riot, strike and cause general chaos for four days so far.
What is even more heartbreaking is the municipality’s reaction. Firstly, the mayoress initially doesn’t address the issue, saying that an official statement would be issued on Friday (everything started on Sunday). Then the mayoress does address the crowds (read criminals/rioters), and instead of laying down the law, her reaction is to her reaction is to give back the ILLEGAL electricity. Not lay down the law, not come down on the law-breakers like a ton of bricks – no, not at all. She gives them what they demand.
Now, please – if I were to steal electricity, running a cable from an Eskom pole to my property and get caught out, I don’t think a mild slap on the wrist would be part of the consequences. Plus certainly not an indulgent “by all means, carry on”.
If I were caught out stealing said electricity, got caught out and cut off, if I THEN decided to go burn down our local municipality, library, school and get all my “tjommies” and start a riot, by no means at all would I receive a nod in my direction, telling me that all is well, and my “tantrum” means I can continue to pursue my illegal activities.
Not only is it clear that this unprecedented (especially in our area) riot has political undertones (today was an interim election in the ward), but it was also not started by the local residents. People were prevented from going to work, attacked and bullied into staying at home. Children couldn’t go to school. How is this progress?
How is that anybody think they can “demand” free electricity? And how has this become a racial issue? There is a shocking facebook page dedicated to this situation, and what I read there, causes my heart to break even more. Not only are there people justifying this, these people are turning the whole situation into another racial hotpot. Apparently only the black people are poor, so they should get cheaper electricity. How is this true? We run an organisation called Heavenly Haven, where we look after several impoverished white families, and these families certainly don’t get or demand free electricity.
How does burning down buildings remedy the situation? Schools, libraries – facilities that were requested and GIVEN, at no cost to the community. Who is going to explain to a local young bright kid: “Sorry, you can’t go to school, we burned it down, because we wanted FREE ELECTRICITY!” And who is going to pay for all this? The free electricity, replacing the burned out facilities?
We have to start learning that we are not entitled to free services. We all have to pay for what we want. We live in a country where we all started down a path towards becoming a united nation two decades ago – that means that we are all treated equally. If you want to be treated equally, then contribute to the economy equally. We cannot plead anymore that we didn’t have the opportunities. We all have all the opportunites we want.
faikonta 
Hi Jolindy. Weet jy wat haar presiese uitlating was rakende die onwettige kragverbindings wat afgesny is? Het die burgemeester gese hulle gaan dit terugsit?
Hi Deon – ek weet nie wat die presiese uitlating was nie, maar ek het die terugvoer op die Mossel Bay Burning facebook blad gelees (jy sal die link in my blog sien).
Hierdie is die begin van die mees onlangse “update” (2 ure gelede):
The mayor has made a commitment that there will be no disconnection of the illegal electrical connections until the (sic) is a benetial (sic) agreement between the parties.
Thx! Laat weet asb as jy enigiets verder hieroor gehoor het.
Ek sal so maak, Deon!
Jolindy, alhoewel ek met jou saamstem rakende die skade ens klink dit nie vir my of al die feite wat jy op Mosselbay Burning gekry het korrek is nie. Kyk gerus na Mossel Bay Info se blad.
Hi Phillip! Dankie vir die terugvoer. Kan jy meer presies wees oor watter inligting onakkuraat is? Die Mossel Bay Burning blad is beslis ‘n blad propvol haatspraak (veral van die “commentors”) en politiese ondertone. Die inligting rondom die krag wat weer aangeskakel word, het ek by meer as een bron gekry. Kan jy moontlik ‘n skakel deurgee na alternatiewe inligting?
Sean Grassow shared Mosselbay Info’s status.
31 minutes ago
Stuart Atkinson
17 hrs · Edited ·
Ok . for those of us that Would Like to know : I’ went to visit The mayor at her house , as we are old friends . In connection with the turn of events , I have discovered the following ( and some of it is groundbreaking ) : an official petition was Lodged , by 80 members of the kwanonqaba community , as a complaint for The mossel bay Municipality to address , of a small group of individuals who were illegally tapping into the Municipal works water and power supply , and had installed a “spaghetti network “for power , across the road . the local inhabitants were concerned for their childrens safety , and therefore requested that the local authorties Look into the situation . Letters of instruction , Were issued , and the various perpertrators were to dismantle their illegal connections , After which the municipality would override the list of people waiting for power , and “hook them up “” , so to speak .
These individuals then sparked the unrest ( can you believe ) on sunday , resulting in unjust acts of violence being exercised upon the local Municipal building , which in turn caused the building in kwa , to be burnt down to the ground . With virtually no manpower to speak Of, to control the violence , the SAPD were Left powerless to contain the aggression , as they had no jurisdiction to exercise any form of retaliation . The unrest unit from George , however , Was brought in to control The Mob – described by algoa fm to be in the 7000 strong , but , in reality , Were no more than 900 äctive'”wrongdoers .
Tthe Mayor was asked if she would entertain the Leaders in Talks to Settle the disagreement – Ironcically enough , when questioned who the “‘leaders”” of the acts of violence were , No single party , or group of individuals , came forward to take the lead ……
Any and all grievances , handed in to the mayor’s office , are required by hjer own Mandate , to be answered ,within 7 Days of issue . this rule has been adhered to , to the letter , and i Read the letter circulated to the perpertraitors myself . There is nothing untoward , in the Letter .
The net result , from the actions of Honest and just Paying citizens of Kwa , for the illegal Misuse of electricity and Water in their neighbourhood , amounted indirectly to the complete destruction of several buildings , including- the Municipal building – The exact same building that the honest rate payers of kwanonqaba needed , to pay their water or lights.This now has to be done by means of a taxi , into town , to go and pay those same Accounts- a huge inconvenience , as well as an unneccessary , Expense . Really makes one think . This is how all disagreements , are solved , in the new south africa . I am bitterly disappointed . I told marie that the town trully needs , a voice on social Media , to Make Themselves more transparent : to prevent such verbal outbursts from brainless individuals , touting that the Municipality “” does nothing “” , when , in truth , they Were acting on behalf of a group of 80 or so residnets , Who Were , simply , Gatvol of people stealing . I hope this clears up any doubts , and suspicions , surrounding the events of the past few days .
The verdict would then lead me to believe : Municipality – not guilty , your honour ….