Protesters shut water valves

THE umhlatuzue Municipality has launched an investigation into who shut the water valves in Esikhawini, in Empangeni that left thousands of people without water during a protest.

Municipal spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said protesters allegedly shut the water valves using a gas welding machine, leaving these valves burnt.

“The SAPS must also help us and intervene in helping to establish who were the people responsible for switching off the valves. What we do know is that these were not ordinary members of the public. How would they know where the valves were and how to switch them off? We suspect there’s a third force at play,” said Ncalane.

Yesterday, five people aged between 18 and 57 who were arrested on Monday appeared in the Esikhawini Magistrate’s Court charged with public violence after allegedly blockading roads in Empangeni during protests.

According to police, on Monday a group of people allegedly embarked on protest action and blockaded Mandlankala and Maholoholo Road in Empangeni.

A video of the N2 near the town being blockaded was shared on Monday night, where the videographer could be heard saying in Zulu that Esikhawini residents had blocked entry and exit to the town.

Ncalane said the protests inside the town of Esikhawini were over water issues, however, the rain had helped in dispersing the protesters.

“The protesters allegedly shut our water valves using a gas welding machine leaving the valves burnt. We have technicians that are going into the area, with Public Order Police for their safety, as we do not know what the protesters are planning. We are also making plans for water tankers when they are sent in, to avoid these being damaged. This situation makes it difficult to engage with the community,” said Ncalane.

He said water in the district had been a challenge, with drought-related water restrictions being imposed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.