Protesters block road over water issues

MANGWENI – A misinterpretation of details by residents, relating to the construction of a reservoir in Mangweni has led to yet another water-related service-delivery protest in Mangweni.

This came to light on August 18, when a group of not more than 10 men, allegedly from Joyce, a section of Mangweni, started barricading roads with burning tyres on Monday at 02:00.

Initial reports alleged that residents were protesting the failure of the municipality to complete a water project in Mangweni.

However, a reliable source told Corridor Gazette that this wasn’t the case.

They said, “The last time a service delivery protest took place in this area, it was also water related, but more about the completion of an existing water-supply project.

This time the protest is about a reservoir which the municipality promised to build for Joyce residents. The reservoir is intended to provide that section with water, and the men travelling in the van are said to be from Joyce.

They claim to be unhappy because there seems to be no sign of the construction of the reservoir, and the deadline which was given to them by the municipality has come and passed.”

The spokesman for the Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mr Cyril Ripinga, said they were shocked and saddened by the protest action as they had already appointed contractors eligible for the project.

He said, “We are shocked and saddened by this protest as the Nkomazi Municipality, because during the previous protest, we told the people that within 14 days the plans for building a larger reservoir would commence. And we have done just that, as we speak there are three projects aimed at addressing water shortages in Mangweni. A contractor has been appointed to start with the construction of the water reservoir for the Joyce community.”

According to Ripinga R34 million has been allocated by the municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), towards addressing shortages in the area, in the new financial year.

“During the state of the municipality address, the executive mayor, Cllr Thulisile Khoza, appropriated and committed R20 million for the Mangweni bulk-water supply, and Cogta appropriated R14 million. As we speak, all three projects are at different advanced stages,” Ripinga explained.

Two schools were disrupted as a result of the protest – according to learners, “We were sent home by our principal, because he feared that the protesters might come into the school as they did last time during a strike. They slapped him last time after he refused to release us,” said a Nkomazi Secondary School learner.

Traffic through Mangweni was flowing freely shortly after police and traffic officers were deployed to the area. However, some residents barricaded the road once again, and turned away vehicles, saying the road was closed.

The Hazyview Riot Police division was deployed to the area to resort and maintain order. It is reported that police had to use rubber bullets to disperse protesters.

No arrests were made by the police.

At the time of going to press Corridor Gazette learnt that the men responsible for the protest came forward on Tuesday August 19, and apologised for their actions.