Day of despair burns in Mzamomhle
FIVE months after BCM mayor Xola Pakati promised that 200 RDP houses would be electrified in Gonubie’s Mzamomhle township, it remains only that – a promise.
Months of anger came to a head yesterday when livid residents took to the streets, burning tyres and blocking roads from 5am, demanding improved services.
They also accused ward 27 councillor Boy-Boy Kalani of misusing funds intended to install electricity in homes and shacks in the township.
In December, Pakati told the residents that more than 200 homes would have electricity by Christmas, while alternative plans for electricity would be made for the shack dwellers in the community. The residents took to the streets to vent their anger as five months later many of them are still in the dark.
Resident Babalwa Gxwala said all they wanted was to have their needs met.
“We’re not causing damage or harming anyone. We have been waiting a long time for electricity. Some residents still don’t have houses, but no one is delivering what was promised to us. We just want to see our needs met as a community,” she said.
Anelisa Mdyogolo said loud sirens woke them up at 3am. “A loudhailer called us out of our homes telling us no one would be leaving for work or school as we’re all protesting for service delivery today.”
The turn-off to Mzamomhle was closely guarded by metro law enforcement officers while further into the township, about 200 residents were involved in a heated with police.
People accused police of firing rubber bullets at them and using tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Four residents needed medical attention after they were shot.
A teary Patricia Mtimkhulu was writhing in pain after being shot in the back of her head. She was running away from the police when she was shot. “The officer who shot at me didn’t even care when I confronted him. He told me to buy Panado and sleep.
“I wasn’t even part altercation of the protest but I am bleeding from my head right now,” Mtimkhulu said.
Nomfezeko Gqadu, who was hit on the lip and behind her left ear, said: “We had locked ourselves inside a yard for safety, but the police barged into the yard and started shooting at us.”
The community was locked in discussions with BCM officials until late yesterday in an urgent bid to restore peace.
BCM spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said the metro had completed most of the electricity installation in Mzamomhle but illegal connections remained a disruption.
“We are concerned about the protests of this nature as we have made it publicly known that our doors are open for engagement with our communities at all levels of interaction from ward level up to upper structures.
“We do recognise that there are hindrances that are experienced at times but we want to urge communities to always engage with us and we do encourage ward councillors to have regular community meetings and then provide the city with outcomes of these meetings, for interventions where there is a need,” he said.
Earlier in the day Kalani could not comment, saying he was rushing to a meeting. He could not be contacted later.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said: “Community members blocked the roads by burning tyres and trees. Rubber bullets were fired to disperse the crowds, who were stoning police cars. Eight people were arrested on charges of the public roads act and public violence.” —