[LIVE BLOG] Chaos as violent protests in Mahikeng continue, Cyril Ramaphosa to address situation

Friday 20 April 2018 | 03:07PM

[LIVE BLOG] Chaos as violent protests in Mahikeng continue, Cyril Ramaphosa to address situation

Shops have been looted and properties torched during growing calls for the removal of Premier Supra Mahumapelo, who’s been accused of corruption and maladministration.

[FULL ARTICLE] Two hours ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Mahikeng, police have fired a fresh round of rubber bullets to disperse protesters.

Police use rubber bullets to disperse Mahikeng protesters

The North West community is demanding the resignation of Premier Supra Mahumapelo, accusing him of fraud and corruption.

Full Article

Highlights

A popular hip hop artist steps in to try and bring some calm.

#MahikengProtests A concerned Mo Molemi (Motswako artist) speaks to residents who have gathered near Mega City where police are patrolling following threats of vandalism and looting. MS pic.twitter.com/8q6oepLZFv
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

Violent protests erupted again in Mahikeng, allegedly after a fake message saying President Cyril Ramaphosa will address them there was sent to residents.

#MahikengProtests reignited after residents who had gathered at the Montshioa stadium, allegedly after a fake message saying President Cyril Ramaphosa will address them there was sent, threatened to torch Mega City. MS pic.twitter.com/2hqN116l4G
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived for the talks.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives as Heritage House to discuss #MahikengProtests. pic.twitter.com/xVHiPW6WWJ
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

In the latest update on talks around Mahumapelo's term as Premier, the ANC says it will discuss and test allegations of corruption against him and then take a decision that the people of Mahikeng will be happy with.

ANC will ‘discuss’ and ‘test’ allegations of corruption against Mahumapelo

The party’s top officials are meeting with provincial leaders, alliance partners and former leaders in an attempt to quell the violence in the area.

[WATCH] "If Supra does not resign, we are going to make Potchefstroom ungovernable ."

Residents of #Potchefstroom says they will make their community ungovernable if #SupraMahumapelo doesn’t step down. #NorthWestUnrest #MahikengProtests pic.twitter.com/TiOSFsPfdP
— Rasaad Adams (@RasaadAdams) April 20, 2018

Tweeps are already poking humour at the issue

The people of #Mahikeng has got the Signal to remove #Mahumapele
Supra get the Signal.#JuliusMalemaChallenge pic.twitter.com/fGXi3h7Gfv
— Simon Mpilo (@mpilo_simon) April 20, 2018

#MahikengProtests Obed Bapela tells us this meeting will examine allegations of corruption then “test them,act in the way that will make people of Mahikeng satisfied that the ANC is going something”. But the people want Mahumapelo to step down.Bapela says they will discuss that.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

The Mahikeng Provincial hospital where services have been affected by ongoing protests.

#MahikengProtests: Outside the Mahikeng Provincial hospital where services have been affected by ongoing protests. The MEC for Health Dr Magome Masike has denied any deaths have occurred at the hospital due to the shortage of staff and https://t.co/EJCEXDtxMM pic.twitter.com/jhVOkV9mXB
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

Ramaphosa is yet to arrive, he is on his way...

The presidential motorcade we thought was Ramaphosa is actually Deputy President David Mabuza...

We have just been told. The presidential motorcade that arrived was David Mabuza and Not President Cyril Ramaphosa. But we are told the president has arrived in #MahikengProtests
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

In other news: Mahumapelo is facing the heat from all corners...

On a lighter note: A statement going around purportedly from ANC veterans in the province who support Mahumapelo's removal. See No6 ? pic.twitter.com/tLCfQaqun7
— Qaanitah Hunter (@QaanitahHunter) April 20, 2018

The meeting hasn't started yet...

#MahikengProtests We are about to be addressed by ANC NEC member Obed Bapela. Doesn’t look like the meeting has started. Many leaders standing outside. CM pic.twitter.com/4v61tccL7a
— Clement Manyathela (@TheRealClementM) April 20, 2018

The meeting, which will discuss Mahumapelo, is expected to be heated with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) telling Eyewitness News they'll be calling for his ouster.

ANCYL president Colen Maine has also arrived ahead of meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at Heritage House in Mahikeng for a meeting with the party's provincial leaders and alliance partners.

Ramaphosa arrives in Mahikeng to meet leaders, alliance partners

The meeting, which will discuss North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, is expected to be heated, with the SACP and Cosatu saying they'll be calling for his ouster.

Some of the damage caused by the protesters.

#Mahikeng #MahikengProtests Mafikeng today. Pockets of residents can be seen around town ...waiting for the announcement from @CyrilRamaphosa about the future of #SupraMahumapelo pic.twitter.com/i6V5MHN1Ln
— Mahikeng Thought Leader (@JpNdaba) April 20, 2018

Those memes are coming in...

People of #Mahikeng be like: we just wana discuss service delivery with Supra pic.twitter.com/nUQCvkLUvB
— Son of Azania (@ofentsemokgau) April 20, 2018

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived

President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at #MahikengProtests for that ANC meeting. CM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

Residents continue to call for the removal of Mahumapelo and say if Ramaphosa does not recall him protests will continue. Picture: Ihsaan Haffajje/EWN.

Some residents in Mahikeng want the president to come address them properly.

As a community we hope the @PresidencyZA will not come here for a show but to resolve the situation. We want change NOW! We do not care about @MYANC processes, give North West people what they want! #Mahikeng
— Kelebogile Kepadisa (@Girly_Kepadisa) April 20, 2018

The situation in the township of Seweding near Mahikeng remains volatile.

The scene here in the township of Seweding near Mahikeng remains volatile. Residents continue to call for the removal of Premier Supra Mahumapelo and say if Ramaphosa does not recall him protests will continue. #MahikengProtests ?: @Ihsaan_Haffo pic.twitter.com/HoEU9KeL2r
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

EWN reporter Masechaba Sefularo gives us the latest. A local hardware store is being looted as owners look on helplessly.

#SupraMahumapelo: Police, residents stand on opposite sides of the road during #MahikengProtests after rubber bullets were fired earlier. A local hardware store is being looted as owners look on helplessly. MS pic.twitter.com/5MLeiXyldv
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

Police have used rubber bullets to disperse protesters

Malebo Pulenyane sitting outside the looted hardware store in the township of Seweding near Mahikeng. Pulenyane was in tears earlier. The job he had here was used to support his 1 year old child and wife. #MahikengProtest ?: @Ihsaan_Haffo pic.twitter.com/Rfz7iEyuB7
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

President Ramaphosa to speak at 12:

WATCH Presidential motorcade arrives in #MahikengProtests. Ramaphosa expected to arrive at 12. CM pic.twitter.com/waWzEa4DZK
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

An arts centre in Mahikeng was set alight during overnight demonstrations.

The Mmabana Arts and Cultural Centre has been absolutely gutted. According to locals many hometown artists such as Cassper Nyovest have learned and performed at the centre. ? @Ihsaan_Haffo #Mafikeng pic.twitter.com/z10OF9tuQh
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

Shops have been looted and properties torched during growing calls for the removal of Premier Supra Mahumapelo, who’s been accused of corruption and maladministration.

On Thursday, a man died after the vehicle he was travelling in crashed into protesters who were trying to evade authorities during a looting spree.

North West Health MEC Magome Masike says the delivery of medicine to the province's hospitals have been disrupted.

Protesting residents in and around #Mahikeng say service delivery is at its worst under premier #SupraMahumapelo. Unions here have embarked on a go-slow that’s crippled services in the departments of health and social development. MS pic.twitter.com/v4uC58grKZ
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 20, 2018

Tensions remain high in the North West following a night of running battles between protesters and police officers ahead of a visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Protesting residents in and around Mahikeng say service delivery is at its worst under premier Supra Mahumapelo.

What do we know so far?

Hello and welcome to EWN's live blog about the violent protests in Mahikeng and the motion of no confidence in North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

[LIVE BLOG] Chaos as violent protests in Mahikeng continue, Cyril Ramaphosa to address situation

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