Nelson Mandela Bay Council Speaker, Jonathan Lawack, has laid charges after an IDP meeting in Colchester ended in chaos, with petrol bombs allegedly thrown, cars stoned and shots allegedly fired.
Speaking to Algoa FM News from the Swartkops police station where he laid the charges, Lawack said he and Chief Whip Werner Senekal, as well as other officials, were “almost held hostage” inside the Colchester community hall on Thursday evening.
He said members of the Public Order Police arrived to quell the situation outside the hall where unknown people threw rocks at cars, damaging at least six vehicles, including Lawack’s official car.
He said "petrol bombs" were also thrown outside the hall.
Lawack said that proceedings to communicate the Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan to the community of Ward 53 had just started when an “EFF person” interrupted and shouted him down.
Lawack said the person, who wore a red EFF beret, was asked to leave the hall. He said another person then entered and cause a commotion.
He said, fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
Police said about 200 people had barricaded the entrance to the community hall.
Police spokesperson, Captain Andre’ Beetge, said police had to break down the gates to free those people trapped inside the hall. He said police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Beetge said by 9 pm a group of people went to the Cannonville crossing on the N2 where stones were thrown at cars. No arrests were made at this stage.
(Pics:Supplied)
