Fire fury over lack of water
The angry protesters said they had not even been able to take a bath for days, and demanded to be addressed by Ugu District Municipality mayor, Mondli Chiliza.
South Coasters, along with the rest of the country, are in for a bumpy ride with yet another hike in fuel and electricity prices and the recent toll fee increase.
For the past two weeks, police have also had their hands full, defusing service delivery protests in several hot-spots, the latest of which erupted on the Izotsha Road leading to Betania on Monday this week.
ALSO READ : N2 closed at Murchison due to water protest
Disgruntled Betania and Nyandezulu residents blockaded the road with rocks and burnt tyres to demonstrate their desperation at the ongoing lack of water in the area.
The angry protesters said they had not even been able to take a bath for days, and demanded to be addressed by Ugu District Municipality mayor, Mondli Chiliza.
Deputy mayor Siphumlile Mthiyane and the Ugu management team tried to restore calm, promising static tanks as relief supply for communities still without water.
Police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowds who said they were not happy with the deputy mayor’s response.
There was also discontent that the mayor himself had not made an appearance.
Provincial police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane confirmed that at the time of writing, no incidents of vandalism or injuries had been reported.
Coupled with this, both Ugu District Municipality and Ray Nkonyeni Municipality have approved increases in their rates tariffs in line with municipal laws.
Last Thursday, Ugu decided to do away with the six kilolitres of water currently allocated free to every household.
This, the municipality said, was to offset the loss incurred by the municipality, which had to pay for this free water itself.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
