Protesters bring Umzimto CBD to a standstill

The Umzinto CBD was a no-go area on Tuesday this week, after residents from nearby informal settlement brought the town to a standstill, protesting against sanitation services.

According to sources, the residents were demanding that their VIP toilets be cleaned or changed as they had been left unattended for a long time.
Ugu District municipal spokesperson, France Zama said it was aware of the protest by Umzinto community members pertaining to sanitation services.

Zama added that although the municipality had issued public notices to the community that as of July 31, 2023, the sanitation services (VIP toilets) will no longer fall under Ugu District Municipality and will be the responsibility of Umdoni Municipality.

“Leadership of Umdoni and Ugu will collectively address the community members,” said Zama.
Meanwhile, Umdoni municipal spokesperson, Sphelele Cele said Umdoni Municipality was aware that the Umzinto CBD was brought to a standstill by protesters from the nearby informal settlement.

“The municipality assures the Umzinto community at large that it is working towards resolving this issue through a progressive plan for a way forward. Umdoni, Ugu District Municipality, and the Department of Human Settlement met yesterday and during this session, it was resolved that the current service provider will resume sanitation services. The municipality firmly understands the implications of the absence of sanitation services, hence it is ensuring it expeditiously deals with this matter. The service provider as per the meeting resolution will reinstate services today (Tuesday),” said Cele.

She added that the affected community was requested to exercise patience while action is being taken to revert services to normality.

“Umdoni Municipality apologises to the affected community and also the business community that has to bear the brunt of the protest,” said Cele.

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