UPDATE: Protesters removed by police from Isithebe water works
If all goes to plan, water should be flowing by 6pm today.
Fifteen protesters holding Isithebe, Mandeni, Sundumbili areas hostage by shutting off the water supply since Monday were forcefully removed by the SAPS today.
Police were stoned by protesters as they were removed from the Sundumbili water works. Police escorted the plant’s staff operators so that they could restore the water supply, according to Mandeni Business Against Crime’s Steve Fox. He said the water should start flowing by 6pm today if all went according to plan. The protesters are apparently unhappy with their councillor candidates for the forthcoming local government elelctions.
Ithala Development Corporation‘s Keith Palmer, who manages the industrial estate, said, ”The protesters had been cleared out for a while. We had to get the operators in to get the pumps running. However, this is just a temporary solution. ”
Ithala will place a 24-hour guard on the site until the matter has been permanently resolved.
The Isithebe industrial park, which employs about 20 000 people, has been at a virtual standstill since Monday. Royal Arch factory manager, Roshini Naicker said, ”At least 500 workers from this factory have been affected. Water is something that we need to produce fabric. The fact that we are unable to produce has a chain reaction and affects about 25 other factories. This is not the first time that this has happened and we plan on taking legal action against Ithala.”
Naicker said that factory has already lost millions. Other large employers affected have been Whirpool, Associated Spinners and United Breweries.
BAC’s Steve Fox said, “From what I know, there has been damage to the Sundumbili plant but not enough to stop the pumps from working. While Ithala has offered to provide security, the responsibility ultimately lies with Ilembe municipality.”
Ilembe municipality has not responded to questions from the Courier by late afternoon.
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