Miscommunication results in protest
RABIE RIDGE - Rabie Ridge youth told Midrand Reporter that they protested today not knowing that the city council had communicated with the residents' association with regard to their petition.
On 12 June residents handed over a petition to City of Joburg Region A representative Hlobo Gamede, who received it on behalf of Ward 110 councillor Steven Lamola.
Residents gave the council 14 days to respond to issues raised in the petition which include service delivery, land and nepotism.
The young people held a protest march on 3 July, burnt tyres and barricaded roads under the watchful eye of South African police and Metro police officers. Unknown to residents, the city council kept its word and responded within 14 days – but residents claim the residents’ association did not address the people on the council’s response.
By midday residents’ anger shifted from the city council towards the residents’ association, who were not present or taking part in the protest march.
Speaking to Midrand Reporter’s Daniella Potter, Rabie Ridge residents’ association chairperson Charles Jones confirmed that the association had received an acknowledgement letter from the city council for their petition.
Jones said the association will call a meeting with the youth later.
Rabie Ridge police spokesperson Jacob Nhlongo said, so far, no incidents of violence from the protesters have been reported.
3 July, 12pm:
Residents awoke to the smell of burning tyres and the sight of barricaded streets on 3 July.
Youth in the township started a protest from 4am to show that they are disgruntled with service delivery in the township.
Service delivery protests have taken place almost every month this year in Rabie Ridge, as the Rabie Ridge Residents’ Association organised many planned marches to hand over memorandums to Ward 110 councillor Steven Lamola’s offices.
These were organised protests with police and Metro police on-site. Most were peaceful, except the last march which took place on 12 June, which saw residents burn tyres and six community members were arrested for bad behaviour in public.
The protest action on 3 July was unplanned and Rabie Ridge Residents’ Association chairperson Charles Jones said the residents’ association was not part of the protest. They called the police and Metro police to contain the protest.
Jones said the residents’ association was pleased that they had received an acknowledgement letter from the city council for their memorandum.
Jones said the association would call a meeting with the youth later on 3 July.
