Bodyguards Shoot Three Community Members Amid Water Protests

Bodyguards of the IFP Mayor of Newcastle, South Africa, Xolani Dube, have allegedly shot three community members during a water protest at Charlestown settlement. 

Following a violent service delivery protest, the members allegedly became boisterous when Dube arrived to address them, and the bodyguards opened fire.

Those who had been shot were sent to Madadeni Hospital, which is located just outside the town.

There was a protest about water delivery, according to a report given to the ANC leadership in the Mbuso Kubheka region (Amajuba district) by Ward 1 councillor, Ntombincane Shabalala (ANC councillor in the ward).

The Charlestown settlement then sought an audience with Dube, and the encounter became heated, with them apparently throwing stones at him, pitting themselves against the heavily armed bodyguards. 

“As ward 1 we have been having water challenges for three weeks after the transformer at the borehole caught fire.

“People were being supplied with water through water tankers that used to come once a week and people were not happy since Charlestown is a huge area and two water trucks were not making any difference.

“So people protested on Sunday night and blocked the road, they also blocked the road last night (Tuesday) night and burnt down four trucks.

“They then demanded an audience with the municipality and the municipality sent the PPU which the people chased away.

“After that, Dube and DM Shukela (deputy mayor Musa “Shukela” Thwala) and the MM (Municipal Manager).

“They came and people started fighting with Dube accusing him of telling them lies and hurled stones at him,” Shabalala said in the voice note.

What bothered her was that Dube's bodyguards opened fire on the community, injuring three children.