A SEASON of discontent is upon the Eastern Cape, it would appear. The last two weeks have seen residents from different parts of the province taking part in protests to voice their frustration with administration and service delivery.
Sanitation, housing and electricity are just some of the burning issues. Police officers had to be deployed to Duncan Village last week, when residents vented their anger by burning tyres and blocking the Mdantsane Access Road. The situation quickly degenerated into chaos and violence, with police having to use rubber bullets to difuse tensions and restore order. At least 14 residents were arrested for public violence.
Also last week, thousands took part in a service delivery protest in the Transkei, led by UDM president Bantu Holomisa, while a small group from an informal settlement in Grahamstown marched and picketed outside the municipal offices.
Today, yet another community took to the streets. This time, residents of Parkridge blocked off roads with burning tyres. They, too, want better service delivery.
As the country gears up for next year’s general elections, these protests are likely to increase and, possibly, intensify.
The protest in Duncan Village caught Buffalo City Metro by surprise. They said successful integrated development plan community engagement sessions had been held in the area, but nothing had been raised during these meetings.
But, for years now, residents have been raising the same issues with progress moving at a slow pace, if at all.
However, lack of sufficient ongoing communication between municipalities and residents could be contributing to the frustration felt by residents.
Councillors are the link between the community and council and should, ideally, be located in their designated areas and providing feedback on any developments, or delays. However, it is often the case that these communities do not even know who represents them in council.
Residents should not be in the dark about development and service delivery when community development workers, ward committees and PR and ward councillors are paid by the state to facilitate, among others things, continual communication.
Burning tyres and protesting is the only way some of these communities know how to get government’s attention.
Before these attempts are written off as being menacing or illegal, it is important that local government listens to their grievances and responds accordingly.
Frustration boiling over
Sanitation, housing and electricity are just some of the burning issues. Police officers had to be deployed to Duncan Village last week, when residents vented their anger by burning tyres and blocking the Mdantsane Access Road. The situation quickly degenerated into chaos and violence, with police having to use rubber bullets to difuse tensions and restore order. At least 14 residents were arrested for public violence.
Also last week, thousands took part in a service delivery protest in the Transkei, led by UDM president Bantu Holomisa, while a small group from an informal settlement in Grahamstown marched and picketed outside the municipal offices.
Today, yet another community took to the streets. This time, residents of Parkridge blocked off roads with burning tyres. They, too, want better service delivery.
As the country gears up for next year’s general elections, these protests are likely to increase and, possibly, intensify.
The protest in Duncan Village caught Buffalo City Metro by surprise. They said successful integrated development plan community engagement sessions had been held in the area, but nothing had been raised during these meetings.
But, for years now, residents have been raising the same issues with progress moving at a slow pace, if at all.
However, lack of sufficient ongoing communication between municipalities and residents could be contributing to the frustration felt by residents.
Councillors are the link between the community and council and should, ideally, be located in their designated areas and providing feedback on any developments, or delays. However, it is often the case that these communities do not even know who represents them in council.
Residents should not be in the dark about development and service delivery when community development workers, ward committees and PR and ward councillors are paid by the state to facilitate, among others things, continual communication.
Burning tyres and protesting is the only way some of these communities know how to get government’s attention.
Before these attempts are written off as being menacing or illegal, it is important that local government listens to their grievances and responds accordingly.
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