SERVICE DELIVERY PROTESTS IN MPOPHOMENI
Residents in Mpophomeni blocked the intersection with the R617 (Underberg Road) on Monday to protest against service delivery problems.
It was the second such protest in less than a week. Last Wednesday, residents set up two blockades using burning rubble and tyres, which brought a halt to traffic on the road and prevented thousands of people from going to work and school.
The protesters demanded a meeting with officials and politicians after weeks without water. Some also alleged that people were angry at having their electricity disconnected.
Following last week’s protests, representatives of the Umgungundlovu District Municipality met with residents to discuss the effect loadshedding was having on water supply across the district. They also assured them that water tankers would be sent to the area.
After last Friday’s meeting, the ANC-run municipality accused the DA-run uMngeni Municipality of being responsible for the protests accusing them of undertaking a ‘brutal campaign to disconnect household electricity supply without notification’.
uMngeni dismissed the allegations, saying it had a duty to ensure the safety of the electricity infrastructure, to keep people safe from the dangers of illegal connections, and to ensure they could pay Eskom for the bulk supply every month.
On Monday morning, the protesters were back on the R617, and demanding to speak to the Mayor, Councillor Chris Pappas.
Initially the mayor refused to meet with them, saying he could not engage with people who were disrupting the free flow of traffic on the R617 and the impact this was having on people trying to drive into and out of Mpophomeni.
“The protesters cleared the R617 and the engagement proceeded [on Monday afternoon in the council chamber in Howick],” he added.
In a statement released afterwards, Pappas said uMngeni would continue to engage with the Umgungundlovu District Municipality with regards to the ongoing water problems in the Mpophomeni area.
The municipality will also write to the minister of water and sanitation to bring the issue to the attention of those at national level; and the mayor and senior officials will meet with residents during a public meeting in the coming days. Referring to the issue of electricity disconnections, Pappas urged residents who owe the municipality money to come and see them to discuss the financial problems they may be facing.
“The uMngeni Municipality will implement a programme that will allow individual residents to easily access free basic services, consideration for debt write-off for indigent households, as well as payment plans,” he added.
“The uMngeni Municipality will continue to replace faulty or old meters free of charge for indigent households. Individual residents must come forward to the municipality to get assistance.”
Residents, earning R5 000 per household, per month can also qualify to receive 150 units of free, basic electricity.
Pappas apologised to residents for the delay in collecting refuse in some areas of uMmgeni, after the municipal offices in Howick were closed on the advice of security providers on Monday.