Komani protesters block R67
Fed up residents threaten to bring town to standstill
PHOLA Park residents in Komani blocked the R67 between the town and Whittlesea yesterday morning, demanding to meet with Enoch Mgijima local municipality executive mayor Sisisi Tolashe.
The angry residents were protesting about the lack of services in the area and unemployment, and also demanded an explanation from Tolashe about the assets which the municipality had to auction to pay a commercial debt.
The protest started a day after cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa visited Ezibeleni to listen grievances.
The protesters started to barricade the R67 with tyres at 7am yesterday, when the police arrived.
The protest then spread into Khayelitsha, less than a kilometre away from Phola Park.
The police managed to negotiate with the residents, and the tyres were removed from the road.
The local community leaders were then taken to meet with Tolashe to arrange a date for her to engage with the community.
Axolile Masiza of the Komani Residents Association said the entire community were tired of not having adequate services.
“We demand that this municipality be put under administration for failing to perform its duties,” he said.
“We have met with the mayor today and she promised to meet with the community of Mlungisi location, which includes Phola Park, on Monday.” to the community’s
He said the protest would be stopped until they met with the mayor.
However, Masiza said if the mayor failed to meet with the community, the protesters would bring Komani to a standstill.
Enoch Mijima municipality spokesman Fundile Feketshane confirmed that the mayor would meet with the entire community of Mlungisi next week. —