Ratanda water crisis: Mayor’s home torched, 2 shot in violent protests
A community grievance over prolonged water shortages in Heidelberg escalated into violence, leaving a mayoral property gutted by fire and two residents reportedly shot by police.
The ongoing water crisis in Ratanda, Heidelberg, took a dramatic turn yesterday (3 July) when a house belonging to Lesedi Local Municipality Executive Mayor Mluleki Nkosi was set alight during intensifying protests.
Earlier in the day, Nkosi met with residents in an effort to defuse tensions and appeal for calm, reports the Heidelberg Nigel Heraut.
Addressing the crowd, Nkosi acknowledged the municipality’s financial challenges and confirmed that Lesedi Local Municipality is unable to settle its outstanding debt to Rand Water.
The mayor appealed to protesters to reopen roads to allow emergency and municipal vehicles to move freely through the township.
As tensions escalated during the afternoon, a property allegedly belonging to the mayor in Ext 23 was set alight.
Protests, which began on Wednesday in Ext 23, have continued to spread across Ratanda, with residents blocking major roads, including the R549 (Vaaldam Road), using burning tyres, rocks and other debris.
Update: Lesedi Local Municipality confirms ongoing talks with Rand Water to resolve water crisis
The demonstrations have severely disrupted traffic, businesses, schools and public transport.
Police have maintained a strong presence in the area, firing rubber bullets and deploying water cannons in repeated attempts to disperse protesters and reopen blocked roads.
It is alleged that two people were shot by police during the unrest.
SAPS spokesperson Captain Fikile Funda confirmed that the incidents are being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. No further details regarding the circumstances of the alleged shootings have been released.
Police have also launched an investigation into the alleged arson incident, and no arrests have been made.
SAPS and emergency services remained deployed throughout Ratanda as efforts continued to restore order and monitor the volatile situation.
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