Protesting residents from Fort Grey and Bhongweni villages dug trenches across Buffalo Pass road during a service delivery protest yesterday.
The protests started on Wednesday and continued into the early hours of yesterday morning. Speaking to the Daily Dispatch police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said police officials had spent Wednesday night keeping peace in the area.
“Some of the officers left the area at about 1am yesterday.
“The residents were so violent that some vehicles travelling in the area were stoned but fortunately no injuries were reported,” said Marais, adding that no arrests had been made.
“We used teargas and fire rubber bullets to disperse the crowd on Tuesday.
“Today they were back just after our members left to dig deep trenches on the Buffalo Pass road.”
The violence started after Buffalo City Metro officials visited the area to disconnect illegal electricity connections.
Angered by the move, residents complained that promises had been made that they would be connected to the power grid.
Resident Mnikelo Mabala said his family had been in the area since 1987 but had never seen any improvements.
“This protest is caused by officials who have forgotten about the people who are still living in squalor. Since we came here we’ve never seen electricity and we’ve been promised houses and running water to our homes,” said Mabala.
Another resident, Sinazo Mbaxa, said the protest action was the “voice of anger”.
“This is just the start. We are angry and need services speedily. We’ve connected illegally as we don’t have a choice.”
Yesterday’s rampage left one family traumatised as their legal electricity connection was cut down.
When Dispatch team left the area at about 10am yesterday, residents were starting to close the road again.
Marais said police would not leave the area until peace was restored. A police helicopter was called in to assist.
“Those behind this public violence will be arrested if they continue doing this,” warned Marais.
Motorists using the road yesterday were diverted. “We had to advise motorists to use alternative routes,” said Marais. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Protesters close Buffalo Pass road
The protests started on Wednesday and continued into the early hours of yesterday morning. Speaking to the Daily Dispatch police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said police officials had spent Wednesday night keeping peace in the area.
“Some of the officers left the area at about 1am yesterday.
“The residents were so violent that some vehicles travelling in the area were stoned but fortunately no injuries were reported,” said Marais, adding that no arrests had been made.
“We used teargas and fire rubber bullets to disperse the crowd on Tuesday.
“Today they were back just after our members left to dig deep trenches on the Buffalo Pass road.”
The violence started after Buffalo City Metro officials visited the area to disconnect illegal electricity connections.
Angered by the move, residents complained that promises had been made that they would be connected to the power grid.
Resident Mnikelo Mabala said his family had been in the area since 1987 but had never seen any improvements.
“This protest is caused by officials who have forgotten about the people who are still living in squalor. Since we came here we’ve never seen electricity and we’ve been promised houses and running water to our homes,” said Mabala.
Another resident, Sinazo Mbaxa, said the protest action was the “voice of anger”.
“This is just the start. We are angry and need services speedily. We’ve connected illegally as we don’t have a choice.”
Yesterday’s rampage left one family traumatised as their legal electricity connection was cut down.
When Dispatch team left the area at about 10am yesterday, residents were starting to close the road again.
Marais said police would not leave the area until peace was restored. A police helicopter was called in to assist.
“Those behind this public violence will be arrested if they continue doing this,” warned Marais.
Motorists using the road yesterday were diverted. “We had to advise motorists to use alternative routes,” said Marais. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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