Calm finally returns to Lusikisi after four days of lockdown

Peace was restored to Lusikisiki after four days of turmoil threatened to turn the small town into a war zone.

Residents from three wards went on the rampage, vandalising private and government property and blockading the R61 and one of the major local roads used by more than 30 villages and tourists.

There were even “pop-up” polls on roads around the area where teenagers demanded payments of between R10 and R25 from motorists to pass through.

The protesters said they were angry with the nomination of ANC ward candidates to contest the local government elections.

They don’t want serving councillors to stand for a third term.

At about 9am yesterday, teenagers blockaded the roads leading to the Magwa tea plantation and seaside resorts and demanded R25 and R10 from passing motorists.

Those who did not pay were not allowed to pass through.

At around 1pm, about 500 residents from Ward 16 gathered close to the road leading to Mbotyi. Police arrived in two armoured vehicles and ordered residents to move from the road.

Lusikisiki police spokesman Captain Mduduzi Godlwana said the situation was under control yesterday afternoon.

By 3pm all roads were clear of any protesters, and only the remnants of the previous day’s protests were visible.

OR Tambo regional chairman Xolile Nkompela said he met with the community leaders and discovered that the issue was not about service delivery.