ROADS into and out of Birdswood have been opened following a last minute intervention by uThungulu District Mayor, Thembeka Mchunu and Deputy Mayor Thulani Mashaba.
The two leaders addressed the angry residents a short while ago after three hours of tense protest action in the suburb. Protesters made it clear that they were not prepared to deal with City Mayor Elphas Mbatha and Ward Councillor Nicolas Madondo anymore.
There were reports of rocks and tree stumps being set alight and used as road blocks. This prevented pupils from getting to school as well as employees and bus commuters.
Residents described the situation as being ‘under siege’ in their own suburb.
There were also isolated incidents of protesters reportedly throwing stones at joggers in the morning and preventing domestic workers from traveling to their place of employment.
As community members made their way into and out of the suburb a short while ago, protesters were assured that their grievances would be addressed at a community meeting to be held on Sunday at 10am at Mandlazini Community Hall.
Police are patroling the suburb but the situation is calm at the moment.
