Eastern Cape premier, Phumulo Masualle, says his government is concerned about a spate of service delivery and other protests across the Eastern Cape this week.
He was addressing the media at the town hall in Uitenhage on Friday.
Protests took place in Port Elizabeth, Kenton-on-Sea, Mdantstane, Sterkstroom,Ginsberg-King Williams Town and outside Queenstown - while a abour dispute has brought Ugie in the north Eastern Cape to a virtual halt.
Responding to a question from Algoa FM News, Masualle said this week's protests by residents of Walmer Township in Port Elizabeth are receiving their undivided attention.
He said he's happy that upon engagement, the Walmer community had agreed to a process to resolve their grievances.
Masualle said he will ensure that this is honoured, saying his door is always open.
However, the Premier strongly condemned the use of violence to achieve social objectives.
"I think we can still achieve all these different mechanisms, likewise, Ugie and other areas, we are noting of course the intensification of these actions, understandably so, there are a number of factors that contribute to this, but certainly where there are genuine service delivery concerns, we would work with them to resolve these matters. Surely it cannot be done through destruction" he said.
Walmer Township was quiet on Friday morning. Police arrested five people during the protest on charges of public violence looting and malicious damage to property.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has meanwhile issued an urgent appeal to mayor, Danny Jordaan and the Metro's political leadership to intervene urgently to bring the current impasse under control and return stability to the area.
