3 houses gutted in Dordrecht unrest

QUEENSTOWN -- Three houses were gutted in ongoing unrest in Dordrecht on Monday.

The burning of the houses is believed to be related to conflict between the town's Concerned Citizens Group and the town council.

Ten homes have been gutted since the start of the unrest in October, shortly after the Concerned Citizens Group handed a memorandum to the office of Housing and Local Government MEC Sam Mazosiwe, demanding the council disband on the basis of alleged corruption and maladministration.

An investigation was carried out by the Queenstown regional office and found irregularities in the council administration.

Mayor Dudley Fitz said several municipal workers were threatened yesterday, and he feared his own life was in danger.

Captain Sipho Thiya of the Dordrecht police confirmed charges of arson were being investigated. -- DDR