ERMELO – Residents of Khayelihle protested at Msukaligwa Municipality (MLM) on May 9 and expressed their frustration with water and electricity issues.

Disgruntled protesters tossed trash at the MLM’s building’s entrance and prevented municipal workers from fixing a water pipe in Kerk Street.

According to a protestor, Mr Jabu Nhlapo, the area has been without water for nearly four months.

“We are not taken seriously by this municipality. How are we supposed to survive for so long without water? I don’t even want to bring up the issue of electricity,” Mr Mr Nhlapo said.

He alleged MLM has been supplying contaminated water through its water tank to the affected areas once a week

“Now we have to buy 20 litres of water for R10 at Extension 8, which is a great distance for us to walk, we don’t even know how we are expected to pay for water since we are unemployed. We will come to the municipal buildings to protest daily until the issue at hand is resolved.”

Ms Lindiwe Nkosi, another protestor, stated that MLM fails to prioritise service delivery concerns in the area, leaving locals no choice but to protest as a means of communication.

“An aged woman like me was meant to be at home recuperating, but I’m here today because our leaders have failed us,” Ms Nkosi said.

The demonstrators asked to speak with MLM representatives, but no one came to address them.

Read the full article in the Highvelder newspaper.