BARBERTON BURNS
Divorce from Mbombela demanded
BARBERTON Protest action and civil unrest saw roads barricaded, a JoJo tank torched and foreign-owned shops looted by protesters last week.
The week-long strike in the area was expected to intensify yesterday. This was according to a report in circulation from a source who asked not to be named.
The report further indicated that a meeting was held by the Umjindi Community Forum (UCF) at the Zani four-way stop on Sunday. It was led by erstwhile councillor Mandla Mamba.
Further reports emerged that suggested that the group intended to blockade the R40 from Jathira Filling Station in a planned total shutdown of Barberton.
A number of people were arrested since the beginning of the protests, and the UCF planned a march to the Barberton Magistrate’s Court to demand their release.
After the municipal elections two years ago, Umjindi Local Municipality was merged with Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM).
Over the years, the merger has proven to be a marriage of inconvenience for residents who feel sidelined by MLM
The City of Mbombela spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, confirmed that the executive mayor, Sibusiso Mathonsi, had been in talks with the group. “The City had responded in writing, but the forum refused to accept that and demanded an audience with the mayor.
“The mayor reiterated the City’s commitment to deliver services to all communities, including the southern region (Umjindi),” he said.
Further reports emerged that suggested that the group intended to blockade the R40 from Jathira Filling Station
“He also indicated that some of the matters raised were not the competency of the City, but committed to take them to the relevant stakeholders such as the national and provincial departments.
“In the matter pertaining to what they call a ‘divorce’ from Mbombela, the mayor indicated that he was not delegated to process this demand, which is a competency of the provincial and national departments of cooperative governance and traditional affairs,” Ngala said.
“Due to the continued community unrest at Umjindi, the City of Mbombela is unable to adequately and equitably deliver water to the JoJo tanks placed at strategic places. We have received reports that some of them have been destroyed, our vehicles have been targeted and a TLB’s tyres have been deflated.
The safety of our employees and property is also at stake.
“We are exploring possibilities of obtaining support from the police for protection while we attempt to deliver services to our people.
We also have to gain access to the lower areas to be able to close supply as part of the rationing programme, which is currently being interrupted by the safety concerns.
“We are committed to deliver services, but the current circumstances make it difficult for us to do so,” Ngala said.
As a result of the stalemate, the protesters continued with their campaign, barricading streets and burning tyres in Emjindi.
Yesterday morning Emjindini Trust, Extensions 10 and 11, and General Street were blockaded, while the Prison Farm Road and the R40 past Jathira Filling Station were still open at 06:00.