The planned strike over service delivery in Ermelo tomorrow, May 26, has caused concern among some apprehensive locals in terms of what to expect.

The protest is organized by community members, who are unhappy with the quality and efficiency of services provided by the Msukaligwa Local Municipality.

The strike is a reaction to the municipality’s failure to make any headway in enhancing the provision of services related to electricity, water, and the general infrastructure.

In order to learn what to anticipate, Highvelder spoke with Juliet Basson, one of the concerned community members who addressed the townspeople during last week’s protest where a memorandum with a list of demands was handed over to the executive mayor, Mapulane Precious Nkosi.

Juliet Basson gives her take on the protest

Basson indicated that the protest will strife to be as peaceful as the one that preceded it.

“Even though there have been discussions about businesses and schools closing on social media, people need to understand that these closures are happening in order for people to participate in the march, not as a result of the protest.”

She indicated that the strike was not to disrupt the townspeople, businesses, or schools, but instead to fight for the rights of the people affected by the lack of services.

“One of these schools has been without water for nearly five weeks, it is unacceptable,” she said.

The meeting point for interested parties is at the Sanlam Centre at 7:00.

They will then proceed to the municipal building.

Basson stated that they dissociate themselves from any opportunistic individuals that take advantage of this protest to forward their own agendas and create havoc or damage.

“We do not associate with such behavior.”

ALSO SEE: GALLERY – Ermelo locals unimpressed with Msukaligwa Municipality

Police make their position on the strike known

Highvelder also spoke to the Ermelo Police spokesperson, Captain Carla Prinsloo.

She indicated that the police will closely monitor the situation throughout the day, and not tolerate any lawlessness from anyone engaging in unlawful activity.

As of right now, there hasn’t been any indication from the group’s organizers that any roads will be closed tomorrow. It’s also prohibited to do so.