Vehicles torched as protest gathers intensity

THREE vehicles have been torched and others pelted with stones in the past two days as residents of Westville, near KwaDwesi, intensified their service delivery protests.

On Wednesday, a Khuboni Tours bakkie and an African Timbers vehicle were set alight in New Mission Road.

Yesterday afternoon, the group vented their anger on a WK Construction bakkie, which was torched.

Ten vehicles – the majority of them light delivery vehicles – have been stoned by about 150 Westville residents in the last three days.

Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge warned motorists, especially those driving LDVs, to avoid New Mission Road, linking the Uitenhage Road with Kleinskool, until the area is calm.

Motherwell cluster commander Major-General Dawie Rabie said he was concerned about the growing violence and had ordered extra policing to stabilise the situation.

“When communities start to attack the police, strong action will be taken against perpetrators,” he said.

Khuboni Tours owner Daluxolo Pasiwe said he was devastated after residents deliberately torched his branded van.

“It’s painful. I have worked hard, now my money just goes down the drain,” he said.

The incident happened after his driver and his assistant returned from Greenbushes, where they had gone to fix a bus that had broken down.

Irate residents threw stones at Pasiwe’s staff, who quickly jumped out. The protesters then got into the vehicle and took a welding machine, a tool box, two tyres and a cellphone before setting the vehicle alight, he said.

The protest action started on July 20. Protesters’ demands include electricity, repositioning of their shacks, and that the municipality make a beneficiary list available to enable them to know whether they are eligible for houses.

Community leader Vusi Mantewu said residents were impatient with the slow response by the human settlements head, councillor Nqaba Bhanga, who had earlier promised to meet with disgruntled residents but did not turn up.

“He phoned to say he would not be attending the meeting because, according to him, he was apparently informed there would be floods.

“Residents were angered. They vented their frustration by burning cars while others were stoned.

“They vowed they would not to stop until he makes an effort to meet with them,” Mantewu said.

Resident Mbulelo Jacob accused the ANC of imposing Ward 36 councillor Nomonde Mhlobiso on them in 2011.

“She publicly declared that she does not care about us, and we also do not want her as our representative. She does not take the issues of residents seriously,” he said.

“It’s no longer about service delivery but criminal activities in operation. I am not happy with what is going on.”