Action needed to avoid repetition
TO the honourable mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Mr Athol Trollip.
Mr Mayor, I am demented, frustrated and “gatvol” regarding the illegal protest in Helenvale on Friday May 5.
Sir, I am sure I speak for all without a mandate, but enough is enough. We, the residents of the northern areas, are held to ransom by the hand of wild, unruly, uncontrolled thugs who think they are above the law. If they have a problem with the NMBM or any other government department, they can do it in a more dignified and orderly manner.
If their concerns are legitimate, I’m sure they will get our full support without stones and tyres, and putting the lives of innocent motorists, especially women and children, in danger.
Sir, it was horrific to personally witness having to face oncoming vehicles on the wrong side of Stanford Road so early in the morning. I thank the Almighty that nothing serious happened as there was chaos and panic, as you would surely imagine.
What frustrated everybody was that the police at that point in time and with past experience should have immediately put into action their contingency plan if they had one, to nip the volatile situation in the bud before it became out of hand.
We were forcefully diverted without supervision to drive through Algoa Park via Kleinskool, with the result that everyone was late for work because of the traffic congestion, including those going to school and institutions of learning.
There were some motorists who drove through Missionvale and some even went to the western areas via Mission Road – a waste of petrol and time.
It was later that the police/traffic department arrived in full force and all they did was to park their vehicles at the robots and intersections and diverted the motorists into the congested areas without supervision.
Mr Mayor, these incidents are just repeating themselves. It may seem insignificant but do not become complacent, as past experiences have taught us a lesson of the riots we previously experienced.
The ward councillors of the areas concerned are always never to be seen or heard. They should wake up from their slumber and take the initiative to have a serious think-tank with higher authorities. You should realise that this action is costing our fragile industry and city loss of production and income because of workers being late.
The community is not prepared to sit back until the next illegal protest. We as residents expect the authorities in control to act concisely and avoid a repetition of this situation as soon as possible.
In conclusion, Mr Mayor, I trust that as the leader of our peaceful city, you will afford us the courtesy of a reply at your earliest convenience.
Ebrahim Bardien, Bethelsdorp