Construction site and RDP house burnt down

A construction-site office and an RDP house were burnt down in Msholozi Section in Emjindini during a service-delivery protest on Monday. Police arrested seven people. The residents of the area, which carries president Jacob Zuma’s praise name, protested against a lack of electricity.

In February a planned march to Umjindi Local Municipality to hand over a memorandum demanding electricity in the area was called off. This was after the executive mayor, Cllr Lazaros Mashaba, intervened and promised them that, “by the first week of March contractors will start installing electricity”.

This did not happen. The construction site belongs to Pule Shakoane and was established as a base from which to install sewerage systems in the area. Residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they did have pit-latrine toilets and all they wanted was electricity. “The mayor (Lazaros Mashaba) promised us in February that we will have electricity before May. May has passed and nothing has happened.

Now all of a sudden they set up an office to install sewerage works. This is not a priority for now, what we need is electricity,” said one resident. According to the community, they burnt the RDP house because it was built in the middle of the road and was constructed for someone who did not need as it had not yet been occupied. “We have been here since 2010 and many of us still don’t have RDP houses. “This house has been her since March and no one has occupied it. It shows that the person they built it for does not need it. Worse of all, the house was built in the middle of the road we are using,” said one local. The area of Msholozi was established in 2010 and most of the residents moved there from Enkanini informal settlement, a low-lying, wetland area.

Umjindi found it unsuitable to be a residential area and relocated the people to Msholozi. Umjindi spokesman, Sam Jele said they condemn the mobilisation of community members to destroy any infrastructure, any buildings or any material which is used to provide the community with better services.

“As the municipality we are aware of the need for electrification for Extension 17 and we want to indicate that we are committed in providing services to our communities. But residents must be patient because for each project we must receive funding. We already issued a tender advertisement which is due on June 25 and after which we will finalise the appointment of the contractor and electrification will then take place,” he said.

The seven who were arrested were expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Tuesday) after spending the night behind bars. Police spokesman, Tutu Nkosi condemned the violent acts by the community and said, “We appeal to the community to use proper channels to voice their needs and refrain from damaging private property because that will land them behind bars.”