Ms Fiona Nicholson, a human rights activist from Thathe, outside Sibasa, said that her personal ordeal at the hands of violent young protestors had made her even more determined to work with communities and the local police to find peaceful solutions to legitimate concerns.
For decades, Nicholson has dedicated her life to helping abused women, children and men from the Vhembe region.
On Thursday, 25 August, the 71-year-old activist was on her way to Thohoyandou when she and her partner suddenly found themselves trapped among angry demonstrators who purported to be protesting because of yet another child murder in the area.
She said they had had to stop at a certain spot at Ngovhela because the road had been barricaded with rocks, branches and other rubble. "As we were running late and had no time to find an alternative route, I got out of my car to move some of the branches, so that our car could get through. That was the worst mistake. I was immediately surrounded by a crowd of young hooligans armed with broken road signs, sticks and other weapons. Being the old idealist that I am, I tried to reason with them, pointing out that there are better ways to hold the SAPS accountable, but they would not listen," she said.
The situation turned ugly, ending up with the hooligans smashing their windows with rocks, banging on the roof, and generally putting on a show for the gathering crowd. "Despite all that, we refused to leave the scene. By then I was spitting mad! They had the cheek to demand money in return for opening the road, and that flipped me out. They threatened to attack us physically, but turned away when we stood up to them. I dialled 10111 and got no reply and then 08600 10111, which is also a police emergency number, but received no answer there either. It was only after calling the woman we were to meet that we found help, and we duly reported the matter to the police in Thohoyandou, who told us that we were the third car to be attacked by protesters that day."
Almost two weeks have now passed since the incident, and Nicholson said she still did not have a case number from the police. "My question is, where are the police and army who are supposed to protect communities and maintain peace in such situations? We pay taxes for their salaries. Something needs to be done here, and this incident has made me more determined than ever to work with the police and communities to find peaceful solutions to this on-going violence. Communities don't know of better ways to hold the police accountable when they seem to have forgotten their role and mandate," Nicholson said.