Protest over lack of service delivery in Naturena
Residents taking matters into their own hands.
TWO residents from Naturena blockaded Visiting Street on April 26, after experiencing a water pipe burst which lasted two days.
The two residents blocked the street with burning tyres, old clothes, papers and bricks.
These residents told the COURIER their ward councillor pays no attention to them. The duo’s other grievances are long overgrown grass, availability of a clinic, sports facilities and police station.
They claim they have been residing in Naturena for decades and councillors keep on changing but no service delivery has been given to people. According to other residents, who didn’t take part in the protest, the area lacks leadership. “No one is willing to fight for the community even the ward councillor hasn’t bothered to listen to our grievances,” they said.
Zakes Mabote, one of the two protesters, told to COURIER that they aren’t protesting because of the unattended burst pipe but for everything that needs attention and fixing.
“I love this place but seeing it getting ruined frustrates me. All that I want to see is that this place gets proper service delivery. We have been silent for some time. Now we need to be attended to. Even if it is just the two of us protesting I know if people see that nothing changes they will instigate a protest as well,” said Mabote.
Other residents distanced themselves from the protest saying they don’t want to get involved.
The COURIER tried reaching Ward 119 councillor Mangaliso Ngwanye but he wasn’t available. It was later reported to COURIER that the burst pipe has been repaired but these two residents are still not satisfied.
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