The fight to save VRYBURG
The faint smell of burnt rubber swirls around the ashy remains of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class W203 near the back gate of the Naledi Local Municipality offices in Vryburg in North West. The once gold and shiny German machine was a special gift to the late Mama Ruth Segomotso Mompati, one of the province’s favourite daughters, former mayor and struggle stalwart.
Late in July, there was public unrest over the appointment of a municipal manager in Vryburg and, with one match, the luxury car and its sentimental value went up in flames.
The two opposing groups engaged in the public violence, which included fisticuffs, wanted to have their own candidate as municipal manager to control the council’s R300 million budget.
Three other vehicles were also set alight.
During the political standoff, the 70 000
