ACCESS to and from Birdswood in Richards Bay has been closed as angry protesters blockade the main intersection in the suburb this morning.
Riot police are now on the scene and busy with negotiations with the community.
It is believed the protest emanated from a budget meeting presented by City Mayor, Elphas Mbatha in Mandlazini last night.
Community members were reportedly infuriated when they heard that roads would not be tarred in their suburb despite the fact that only 15% of the capital budget had been spent.
The Mayor was reportedly ‘locked-in’ the suburb through a barricade shortly after the meeting last night.
According to sources community members are demanding that Mbatha step down as chairperson of the Mandlazini Trust along with another councillor sitting on the body.
Our editor DAVE SAVIDES has been on the scene for the past two hours which has been described as extremely tense and volatile.
Back-up police have been dispatched to the scene as angry protesters continue to wield sticks and stop vehicles from entering and exiting the suburb.
Our editor will keep you up to date with more information from the scene.
