Service delivery protests have now spread to Mooi River, effectively forcing road closures on the N3.

Earlier this month, police task teams had their hands full resolving conflicts with protesters who blocked roads with burning tyres and rocks in the Roosboom and Hobsland area.

These protests resulted in the closure of the R103 for a full week, with police having to use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the angry mob. While Roosboom and Driefontein burned, nothing was done. While the R103 was blocked by protesters, very little was done.

However, in the case of Mooi River, police intervention has been swift and decisive after Bruntville residents blockaded the N3 and began stoning passing motorists.

Several Ladysmith residents have had narrow escapes at the Mooi River Toll Plaza.

Provincial intervention in the crisis:

KZN COGTA STEPS IN TO END BLOCKADE OF N3 AT MOOI RIVER

The KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has sent a high-level rapid response team to the Mooi Mpofana Local Municipality to end the protest action that is blocking traffic on the N3 highway near Mooi River.

“We are in communication with the disaffected community whose objective appears to be the removal of the local mayor. While we recognise the right of the community to protest, we urge protesters to be considerate to motorists who use the N3 in the vicinity of their town,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

KZN Cogta has successfully tested its rapid response mechanism in similar crises in other parts of the province and it is confident that its intervention at Mooi Mpofana will resolve the issues behind the current crisis in this municipality.

“We believe in dialogue. Unless we engage the disaffected community in talks, there can be no hope of an acceptable solution to the current crisis. Our pledge to the people of Mooi Mpofana is as follows: We are here to listen and to act in your best interest,” said Dube-Ncube.

For more information, contact KZN Cogta spokesperson Lennox Mabaso on 082-884-2403.

(Featured photograph is that of the Roosboom protests earlier this month)