Mxolisi Moni News Today

The killing of municipal councillors and officials is on the increase in South Africa. It represents a direct attack on our hard-won democracy, says Bheke Stofile, the president of the South African Local Government Association.

After a two-day blockade of Port St Johns by protesters, police on Thursday reopened the roads leading to the coastal town where hospitals, schools, government offices and businesses were all but shut down while the town was cut off from the outside world. Police said protesters had commandeered eight trucks and “forced drivers to jackknife their trucks on the roads” including the R61 between Mthatha and Port St Johns and several routes to Lusikisiki.

Disgruntled Port St Johns residents blockaded the main route linking the coastal town to Lusikisiki and Mthatha on Wednesday, demanding mayor Nomvuzo Mlombile-Cingo and two other councillors resign. The protest came after PSJ council chief whip Mxolisi Moni’s home was burnt and his nephew shot and wounded by unknown people on Sunday.