Disgruntled community members blocked a road in Hazyview early this morning as part of a service delivery protest. According to Sgt. Gerald Sedibe, SAPS Provincial spokesperson, one of the large trees next to the road was cut down and dragged on to the road at the four-way stop leading to Tshabalala.
Sedibe says the protesters are residents of the Hazyview township and demanded street lights, a school in the area and that the municipality clear the bushy areas.
The protest reportedly lasted from 02:00 until around 06:00. Police stepped in and 20 suspects, thought to be the instigators, were arrested. The suspects are currently held at the Hazyview Police Station and are scheduled to appear in the Hazyview Magistrate’s Court some time today.
According to other sources, police had to use stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and several people were injured. A team of workers was then sent in to clear the tree, rubble and branches from the road to create safe passage for motorists.
The Kruger National Park released a media statement this morning advising guests to avoid the Paul Kruger and Phabeni Gates due to the protest. Alternatives routes such as the Numbi and Malane Gates were recommended.
The road is, however, accessible once more and the relevant authorities are keeping an eye on the situation.
Ken Robertson, the DA’s councillor in Hazyview also tried to intervene during the protest but could get the angry crowd to disperse.
In a press release sent out by the DA on Friday, the party said that they acknowledge the frustrations of Hazyview residents regarding the high level of crime and lack of basic amenities like water, electricity and housing, but urged them to consider the effects of protests on other residents.
The DA referred to a peaceful march to the Hazyview municipal offices in 2012, where residents handed a memorandum to the previous mayor of the Mbombela Local Municipality. Despite the demand for better services, the DA says no major changes have taken place in the town other than small improvements to water and sanitation services.
The DA challenged Mayor Sibusiso Mathonsi to engage with the residents of Hazyview and urgently address their issues.
