The community of Bela-Bela which is formerly known as Warmbaths is in shambles today after members of the SA Police Services (SAPS) attacked the protesting  community of Bela-Bela.

PAC is forming part of that protest because we believe that they are fighting for genuine issues which should be addressed as soon as yesterday. The community have embarked on the peaceful march to demonstrate to government that they are not happy as the municipality charges them R500 every month without consent of residents, this practice started in November.

Community members were told last year that the municipality owed R33 Million and the municipality decided to switch electricity off for those who couldn't pay and sometimes water is also made unavailable, this is provocative.

It cannot be correct that the poor are expected to pay off R33 Million, where will that money comes from because majority of residents are staying in shacks, "RDP" houses while others are homeless literally.

The situation is too bad that pupil and educators did not report to classes today. The mayor's car was torched because he is believed to have called the police back-up when there was no necessity for that, the residents peacefully requested answers from the municipality without the "military intervention".

We are in solidarity with the community of Bela-Bela and we will support them until they restore their dignity by getting clean running water and electricity which is not disturbed.

Issued by PAC