Residents of Siyanqoba say they will not back down in their fight for basic services, warning that protests will continue until authorities deliver.

The community said it is now “their way or the highway” after nearly a decade of waiting for electricity, water, sanitation and other basic services.

On the night of March 5, residents took to the streets after travelling more than 200 kilometres to Mbombela, hoping to meet Mandla Ndlovu, the Premier of Mpumalanga, or deliver a memorandum outlining their grievances.

However, police stationed around the legislature precinct prevented them from approaching the venue. Just a few metres away from the red-carpet spectacle outside the Mpumalanga Legislature, residents from Siyanqoba staged a protest over the lack of basic services in their community.

While dignitaries arrived in luxury vehicles and formal attire for the State of the Province Address, residents stood behind barricades demanding electricity, water and proper sanitation.

The protest comes weeks after another demonstration on February 25, when residents blocked roads in Siyanqoba, calling for urgent intervention from the Emalahleni Local Municipality over service delivery failures.

One resident who spoke during the protest highlighted the difficult living conditions in the area.

“I’ve been staying in Siyanqoba for eight years, and there’s still no proper infrastructure, electricity, water, sanitation, waste management, or employment opportunities,” she said. “Our leaders from the municipality only come to us when they need something, make promises and fail to deliver. We’re tired of being ignored.”

The concerns raised by residents were acknowledged by Mayor Vusi Nhlapho, who admitted the issues were not new.

“Everything that you are raising – it’s not the first time I’m hearing it,” he told the community.

READ MORE HERE: DAA takes centre stage as Mayor addresses Siyanqoba residents

Electricity delays in Siyanqoba tied to Eskom R12 billion bill and DAA, says Mayor. Residents await solutions for water, sanitation, and other services
Read more here: https://t.co/Vcwq03YVlD pic.twitter.com/8yDNv1KONv

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) February 26, 2026

According to the municipality, the delay in connecting Siyanqoba to electricity is linked to its significant debt to Eskom. Nhlapho explained that Eskom has been reluctant to connect the area to the national grid due to the municipality’s outstanding debt.

READ MORE HERE: Residents of Siyanqoba block roads over service delivery failures

From service delivery to employment opportunities, Siyanqoba residents say the inaction has gone on too long
Read more here: https://t.co/CzXjriSIAM#WitbankNews #emalahleni #Siyanqoba #Protest pic.twitter.com/e1KXnHwru6

— WitbankNews (@WitbankN) February 25, 2026

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