Widespread protests highlight the plight of fed-up residents
"Our communities are drug infested and service delivery is a matter of concern," Pastor Ashley Sauls.
Protests in coloured communities have erupted since Heather Peterson was shot and killed in an alley in Westbury a few weeks ago. Peterson was caught in the crossfire between two rival gangs.
Last week, residents in Ennerdale and Eldorado Park took to the streets in protest, which prompted police intervention.
Residents said that they were in solidarity with Westbury because all coloured communities have similar issues of neglect and marginalization.
A demonstration took place in Eldorado Park on October 5. Tyres were burnt at the Golden Highway and Main Road intersection.
Protesters blocked off roads, but Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) was on the scene to ensure that the demonstration did not take a violent turn.
Pastor Ashley Sauls, who was on the scene, said that he agreed with the issues at hand, “I am for the people and I hear their cries. Our communities are drug infested and service delivery is a matter of concern, I just don’t agree with the way things are being done.
“Protests like this paint the picture that coloured people are violent, I do not agree with the burning of tyres and the barricading of roads,” said Sauls.
Romila Harris, who is a part of the Gauteng Shutdown Organising Committee said that she demanded that police stop corruption and that service delivery be improved.
“If the president does not hear our cries, we will continue to protest until we are heard. This is not a racial issue, it is about the lack of service delivery and the conditions we live in. I am working on the ground to ensure our concerns are heard,” she added.
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