PIGG’S PEAK FOLK WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY

PIGG’S PEAK – The adage ‘kulalwa benyoni’ has become a reality for folk in Pigg’s Peak, though for some, it appears normality is back.

‘Kulalwa benyoni’ is a phrase often used to describe a situation where a person is so troubled that he or she struggles to sleep or keeps waking up at every sound in anticipation of a calamity. This is the reality for many residents of Pigg’s Peak, which is one of the hardest-hit areas by violent protests which left shops destroyed. Residents, who asked to speak on condition of anonymity, said they did not feel that the security forces would be able to protect them if more protests continued. One of the protesters narrated how, last Tuesday evening, a group of people managed to set Buy Cash Hardware on fire in the presence of security forces who failed to control the insurgence. Noteworthy, Buy Cash Hardware is situated a stone’s throw from the Pigg’s Peak Police Station, so much that one could throw a stone from outside the station commander’s office and it could land on the hardware store’s roof. Also, people continued to vandalise property and loot shops despite the presence of police officers.

Commotion

Looters operated in such a way that they would strike in one area causing the security forces to leave and attend to the commotion then continue in several spots. Using this technique, they managed to weaken the strength of the security forces and cause extensive damage to the small town. The damage was not only in the town centre, but some also moved to property situated in The Glen Township where storage shelters belonging to the town council were torched.  The storage shelters contained furniture belonging to some of the shops in the town. However, despite this, businesses operated as normal from last Friday. Not many shops had opened last Friday, but on Saturday, many were open allowing residents from surrounding areas in Pigg’s Peak to head to the town and do their shopping. An Asian businessman said he was approached by soldiers who found him outside his shop and they asked if he wanted to open. “I said I was scared, but they assured me of my safety,” he said. He said when the soldiers asked him to open the shop, he felt confident and opened it.

Timothy Maseko, who lives about five kilometres outside Pigg’ Peak, said it was the first time for him not to visit town for a number of consecutive days. “I have not even been to my home,” he said. Maseko said he stayed at his place of work, but that he usually went home on weekends. The presence of soldiers, as well as police officers, appeared to have been intensified. They were spotted yesterday patrolling the streets and also stood outside shops. Warders were also spotted assisting the police during the mayhem of looting and violence through the town. Buhleni was also reportedly normal as there had not been any reported looting there. A high number of soldiers are said to have prevented looting. Also, Ntfonjeni residents kept guard of some of the structures and prevented looters and arsonists from damaging any property.

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