Enough! – Ivory Park residents fed up with poor services

Fuming residents of Ivory Park in ward 78 decided enough was enough when they took to the street and blockaded roads with burning tyres and rubble during the poor service delivery protest that took place yesterday.

In the early hours of the morning, some residents who attempted to go to work, were forced to return to their homes as local taxi drivers were denied to drive through the area.

Street vendors at Swazi Inn had to shut down their business routine as the protesters were violent.

The angry protesters threatened to burn their ward 78 councillor’s house, Clr “Big” Joe Mahlangu.

They became increasingly violent when they threw petrol bombs at the police.

According to a street vendor who was at the scene, people were protesting because of poor roads, housing and general lack of service delivery.

“Residents want better service from City of Johannesburg. They said they want better roads, sewerage pipes fixed and houses among the other things. Business had to stop because of this protest. They threatened to take and destroy our stock if we opened. We are not happy because we are selling food items and it could get rotten,” said the vendor.

Ivory Park resident, Ms Qween Ngwenya, explained that the protest disrupted her day too.

“I am running from the police as they are shooting at the protesters. They told me to run away. I was on my way to Kaalfontein Taxi Rank, but was denied to pass. I am very scared and do not feel safe at all,” she said.

According to Ivory Park SAPS communications officer, Warrant Officer Neldah Sekgobela, a case of public violence was opened.

“No one has been arrested yet. The police will monitor any violent act until the situation calms down,” W/O Sekgobela said late Tuesday afternoon.

The Tembisan’s several attempts to obtain comment from the ward councillor were not successful.