Ten people, including prominent business owners, were arrested earlier today in Dutywa after service delivery protests erupted in the early hours of the morning.
The protest by concerned Mbhashe municipality residents, follows a march to hand over a petition to authorities by ratepayers and other community members last month.
Police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha confirmed to the Dispatch that eight males and two females were arrested but by the time of writing yesterday they were not yet charged.
"Police have worked tirelessly to try and defuse the situation. Public Order Policing from Queenstown and police from Dutywa were deployed. We warn motorists to take caution when driving through the town," he said.
The residents handed over the petition of grievances and gave the municipality 21 days to respond to the complaints, which included bad road network, and lack of proper sanitation infrastructure among others.
Speaking with the Daily Dispatch yesterday leader of the protesters Xolani Rulumeni said that residents were tired of the ignorance by the mayor and his executive.
"When we handed over the petition you could see that the mayor does not care to address any of the grievances. We have also met with MEC Xasa to share our problems but that has also been in vain. Now people cannot take it anymore," Rulumeni said.
The protests follows a march that was organised by Mbhashe Ratepayers’ Association , Mbhashe Business Forum and the members of the community last month.
The residents handed over a petition of grievances on April 5 , and gave the municipality 21 days to respond.
Meanwhile, the N2 between East London and King William's Town had to be closed this morning and cars diverted to alternative routes after ward 17 ANC members protested against an “imposed” ward councillor candidate.
10 arrested in Dutywa after residents protest over service delivery
The protest by concerned Mbhashe municipality residents, follows a march to hand over a petition to authorities by ratepayers and other community members last month.
Police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha confirmed to the Dispatch that eight males and two females were arrested but by the time of writing yesterday they were not yet charged.
"Police have worked tirelessly to try and defuse the situation. Public Order Policing from Queenstown and police from Dutywa were deployed. We warn motorists to take caution when driving through the town," he said.
The residents handed over the petition of grievances and gave the municipality 21 days to respond to the complaints, which included bad road network, and lack of proper sanitation infrastructure among others.
Speaking with the Daily Dispatch yesterday leader of the protesters Xolani Rulumeni said that residents were tired of the ignorance by the mayor and his executive.
"When we handed over the petition you could see that the mayor does not care to address any of the grievances. We have also met with MEC Xasa to share our problems but that has also been in vain. Now people cannot take it anymore," Rulumeni said.
The protests follows a march that was organised by Mbhashe Ratepayers’ Association , Mbhashe Business Forum and the members of the community last month.
The residents handed over a petition of grievances on April 5 , and gave the municipality 21 days to respond.
Meanwhile, the N2 between East London and King William's Town had to be closed this morning and cars diverted to alternative routes after ward 17 ANC members protested against an “imposed” ward councillor candidate.
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