Unhappiness over water shortages in Doringkop reached boiling point recently, with two protesters being shot and injured outside the house of KwaDukuza Ward 1 councillor, Scelo Shandu.

The shooting took place on the evening of July 23 after a day of protests over dry taps in the Sakhamkhanya community of Doringkop.

A case of attempted murder has been opened at KwaDukuza Saps, however Shandu denies his bodyguard’s involvement, blaming the protesters.

According to Shandu, earlier that day disgruntled residents had demanded that municipal officials address them.

“When I tried to address the protesters they said they don’t want anything to do with me,” said Shandu, who then called on iLembe municipality operations director, Elias Bhengu, and KwaDukuza council speaker, Dolly Govender to address the crowd.

“They came to agreement that the water problem was going to be sorted that afternoon, but iLembe failed to sorted [sic] the problem that day,” he said.

He said protesters had returned to his house at around 8.30pm, alleging that they threw stones and bottles and tried to gain access by breaking the gate.

Shandu denies seeing the shooting, saying that he had gone to the other side of his house to check on his kids, leaving his security to deal with the protesters.

He confirmed hearing gunshots, but claimed they came from the protesters.

It is understood one protester was shot in the shoulder and the other in the ankle, but the Courier has not spoken directly to those injured.

iLembe District Saps communication officer, Captain Alex Thomson said the police investigation would determine who was responsible for the shooting.

“Shots were fired and two people were injured during the shooting. The matter is currently under investigation by the KwaDukuza Saps detectives,” he said.

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