WATERVAL BOVEN – The protesters who had blockaded the N4 with rocks on Thursday have requested a meeting with the Office of the Premier.
An estimated 150 protesting residents of Emgwenya in Emakhazeni Local Municipality (ELM) blockaded the N4 between the Five Arch Bridge and the Nzasm Tunnel by throwing rocks onto the road. It was closed to traffic, which was redirected to Schoemanskloof.
Sources say they later dispersed peacefully and the road was reopened at approximately 10:45.
It is not the fist time residents have taken to the N4 to voice their frustration. In February last year the Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) even temporarily stepped in to rescue ELM after conflict within the municipality and numerous strikes had disrupted service delivery.
The protesters are complaining that the municipal water piped to Waterval Boven and Emgwenya is dirty, that rubbish heaps are defacing the area, and that the rates they pay are too high for the level of service they are receiving from ELM.
The drama started on Monday last week when members of the community closed the municipal satellite office and sent a letter to the mayor, Cllr Xolani Sydney Ngwenya requesting a meeting to discuss their grievances.
A meeting was convened between the municipality and community members for Wednesday. However, when the mayor failed to show up as was expected, residents refused to participate and blockaded the road early the next morning.
The Office of the Mayor said they had referred the “so-called community leader” who wrote the letter back to the elected ward councillor. His office said the mayor had never agreed to a meeting with the community.
Acting municipal manager, Ms Lizzie Tshabalala confirmed that the community had requested a meeting, which was arranged for Wednesday. However, her delegation was dismissed, as the people insisted on speaking to the mayor.
“We are willing to engage with them. It is strange to say there is no service delivery. We have a small municipal office in Waterval Boven.
“We agree there are challenges because of the capacity, but now they have closed the office and threatened employees, so we can’t provide the little we were able to do. We are willing and ready to engage with them.”
She added there were certainly weaknesses in the municipality’s provision of services. “We have old infrastructure which causes repetitive breakdowns, some parts are old and electricity supply is repeatedly being interrupted by rain. We are addressing it as best we can, but the community needs to assist us.”
According to Tshabalala, residents of Emgwenya pay a flat rate for water. “Our costs far exceed the income. We (the municipality) need to also dig deeper, but historically a flat rate is not sustainable.”
On Thursday police pursued participants suspected of throwing rocks onto the road into the township.
Brig Selvy Mohlala, spokesman for the Mpumalanga police, denied that any force had been used. He added that an individual had been taken in for questioning but was released again. He said the SAPS was still investigating a case of public violence.
At the time of going to print, ELM’s satellite office remained closed.
Police looking for suspects after protest closes N4, Janury 7, 2016, 15:03
WATERVAL BOVEN – Police are looking for suspects who blocked the N4 early on Thursday morning.
It is estimated that about 150 residents from Emgwenya blockaded the N4 between the Five Arch Bridge and the Nzasm Tunnel by throwing rocks onto the road.
TRAC advised motorists to rather make use of the Schoemanskloof route, before the road was reopened at approximately 10:45.
Brig Selvy Mohlala, spokesman for the Mpumalanga police, said they had closed the road to traffic for people’s safety.
“The protesters have complaints about the water and increased rates from the local municipality without getting improved service.”
In February of last year the Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) temporarily stepped in to rescue ELM after conflict within the municipality and numerous strikes had disrupted service delivery.
- Read more here: Cogta steps in to rescue Highveld towns from complete collapse and Upset municipal workers disrupt service delivery
Mr Joseph Mabuza, spokesman for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), said yesterday that they had not received any reports of damage to property.
Witnesses also reported that the protesters were quiet and peaceful and dispersed on their own.
It is believed that police then pursued participants, suspected of throwing the rocks onto the road, into the township.
Mohlala denied that any force was used, but said SAPS were searching for the suspects after they “ran away”.
The community had asked the mayor of eMakhazeni Local Municipality (ELM) for a meeting in a letter earlier in the week to address their grievances.
The office of Cllr Xolani Sydney Ngwenya said they had received a letter, but referred the “so-called community leader” back to the elected ward councillor.
His office said the mayor never agreed to a meeting with the community, and referred the newspaper to the municipal manager, Ms Lizzie Tshabalala for comment.
At the time of going to print, she could not be reached for comment. It was not known whether anybody had been arrested in connection with the incident.
