Residents protest outside council offices

Residents said the demarcation between Rabie Ridge and Kanana had separated two communities which were meant to be under the same ward. Rabie Ridge Residents Association spokesperson, Charles Jones said, “The demarcation has caused problems for us, we can no longer access the stadium and are left out of any contract work in Kanana and treated like outsiders.”

He added that Lamola was never available to hear the communities issues. “As expected councillor Lesibana Stephen Lamola is not here,” he said. “He will not come for fear of being attacked. The people are very angry at his endless nepotism.”

SA police and Metro police closely monitored the protesters. Three elderly residents, Maureen Julius, Hilda Steyn and Allie Mcnellie said they would not stop protesting for better service delivery until they were heard. Julius said, “We want to leave a better legacy for our children, they can not suffer the same pains we faced during apartheid.”

After handing over the memorandum of grievances to City of Joburg Region A representative, Hlobo Gamede residents demanded that the city council respond to their grievances and service delivery issues within 14 days.

The peaceful protest then erupted into unruly behaviour as residents began burning tyres on the streets.

Rabie Ridge police spokesperson, Constable Jacob Nhlongo said, “So far six people have been arrested for public violence, they will appear in court soon.”

In a statement, City of Joburg Region A citizen relationship manager Pierre Nel said, “We received the petition, we will forward it to the office of the speaker who will schedule a public round table meeting within the given 14 days.”

Any attempt by Midrand Reporter to get hold of councillor Lamola telephonically proved futile.

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