Residents of Ermelo in Mpumalanga are fed up with an alleged lack of service delivery, as proven by the large group of protesters who gathered at the Old Sanlam Centre yesterday before marching to the Msukaligwa Local Municipality.

The strike is a reaction to the municipality’s failure to make any headway in enhancing the provision of services related to electricity, water, and general infrastructure.

Businesses were invited to shut their doors and join the demonstration as the massive group of demonstrators marched by.

The taxi organization, which initially said that it would not participate in the protest, later joined the group. It is alleged that their change of heart came after a taxi was hit by a stray rubber bullet during an incident before SPAR.

By Friday night, Moeti Musi of the Department of Community Safety, Security, and Liaison had warned that motorists should avoid Ermelo. This morning, he said that all roads are open, but motorists should remain vigilant when traveling through the area.

Photos by Wayne van der Walt: