eMZINONI – The residents of eMzinoni are fed up with the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
They have embarked on various ways of getting their voices heard regarding the bad living conditions due to the electricity crisis in the area.
Some have teamed up with Bethal residents to take the municipality to court.
Others took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction.
The angry locals burned tyres and blocked the roads in violent protests, setting alight two trucks and a bakkie on the Standerton and Morgenzon roads respectively.
They complained about power cuts in the area and that they are sick and tired of the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
At some point the protesters attempted to torch the municipal building and allegedly threatened to burn a sub-station with the electrician inside.
“We cannot take municipality’s nonsense anymore.
“We will burn the sub-station because it is not helping us anyway.
“While others are fighting for our rights in court, we will fight on the ground,” said an angry resident.
A woman died during the protest on Saturday, 20 June at about 2am. She was allegedly run over by a truck.
Also read: Woman dies during protest between Bethal and Morgenzon
The police arrested two men for public violence after they were assaulted by the protesters.
It is alleged that the protesters caught the two looting tuck shops.
Police managed to rescue them from the mob and then arrested them.
They are expected to appear in court soon.
Sgt Cynthia Mtsweni, police spokesman, said things are usually quite during the day, but the unrest begins at night when the electricity is off.
She said the police are doing everything to control the situation.
“The situation has been tense the past weeks, but we are working hard to control it.
“We are calling on the residents to refrain from criminal activities.
“During the protests a truck transporting oranges and potatoes were looted.
“Coal trucks were looted and then torched. That is unacceptable.”
Also read: Community protests against power outages
Sgt Mtsweni said four residents were arrested for public violence.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality communication department was not available for comment at the time of going to the press.
Ridge Times contacted the communication department and Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, without luck.
Mr Dan Nhlapho, MMC for the energy department, was also contacted, but he referred the newspaper back to the communication department.
Eventually the Ridge Times got hold of Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, speaker.
He said the municipality is attending to the matter.
“We understand the frustrations of the residents, however we are calling for calm as we are attending to the matter. We have approached the Gert Sibande District Municipality for help.
“The matter will be attended to in the council meeting on Tuesday, 23 June. “We will then communicate the resolutions to residents after that meeting.”
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/234541/community-protests-and-shuts-down-emzinoni/
