WATCH: Residents of Cathcart call off protest after a week

Ceshemba Vakalisa of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) said the decision to suspend the protest did not mean they were abandoning their plans.

“We’ve taken the decision to stop for seven days so that we can breath and come with new plans. We are tired of being a forgotten town while we are constantly called to vote,” said Vakalisa.

Since Monday residents have clashed with police deployed to the small town to keep the peace.

Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Namhla Mdleleni said police had been operating in the town for the past week.

“Unfortunately 21 vehicles including a police vehicle were damaged during the protest. Three people have been arrested and two are out on bail,” said Mdleleni.

Residents’ demands include RDP houses, the upgrading of their local hospital and a return of commercial banks to the town.

“In 2002 we were promised 306 RDP houses by government but 14 years later there’s nothing. We are doing these protests because we are tired, we have honestly had enough of lies and we want to get attention from these leaders,” said Vakalisa.

This week, the angry residents turned away a number of government officials from different departments.

“We don’t want people who are here to listen, we want decision-makers who will feel what we are complaining about,” he said.

Earlier this week 19 residents were treated for broken limbs and rubber bullet wounds at the hospital after police tried to disperse protesters.

All shops along the town’s main road had to be closed.

Yesterday, more than 2000 residents marched peacefully up and down the N6. More than 30 law enforcement vehicles from Whittlesea and Cathcart and Amahlathi Local Municipality were present.

Motorists travelling along the N6 were delayed for about three hours.

Resident Daniswa Gudwana of Daliwe township said people were still staying in mud structures in the middle of the town.

“We want a new face of Cathcart, we want RDP houses,” said Gudwana.