Update: Alex protest leaders say they will take their protest to the City’s offices in Sandton
ALEXANDRA – Residents refuse to be addressed by the MMC, they want Mayor Herman Mashaba to address them.
Update, 3 April, 2.55pm
Leaders of the #AlexTotalShutdown said they would continue with the protest until mayor Herman Mashaba receives their list of grievances personally.
Sandile Mavundla said they would take their protest to the City’s regional offices in Sandton on 4 April. He added that all roads leading to Sandton would be inaccessible.
More updates to follow.
Update, 3 April, 1.30pm
Protesters in Alexandra refused to be addressed by MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun upon his visit and were demanding that mayor Herman Mashaba come and address them.
The residents are protesting against illegal land use, poor service delivery and high levels of crime.
The protesters moved towards the N3 highway and threatened to block it if Mashaba did not come and speak to them.
Watch:
Update, 3 April, 9.59am
Leaders of the #AlexTotalShutdown have apologised to the township’s residents who could not go to work due to the protest but maintained that the shutdown was necessary.
https://www.facebook.com/AlexNewsZA/videos/799821697042571/
Addressing members of the community, leader Sandile Mavundla urged residents of Alexandra to intensify their campaign but remain peaceful.
“We apologise to those of you who could not go to work because of the shutdown. However, we are not going to stop our fight for better service delivery, instead, we will continue until this arrogant municipality listens to us. We are tired of being a Mandela Day project and voters who do not benefit from the government,” he said.
Some learners of East Bank High School gave our journalist Nduduzo Nxumalo their view on how the strike had affected them, saying they were not able to do their tests and teachers did not pitch up.
Watch:
Alex Mall has decided to close its doors due to the protest.
The police fired some shots as protesters marched towards the N3 highway in a bid to prevent them from doing so.
Update, 3 April, 7.35am
Alexandra Police Station spokesperson Captain Stephen Malatjie said they were closely monitoring the situation and appealed to the protesting community not to prevent others’ right to work.
Schools and shops are closed and there is no public transport for those who want to go to work.
Our journalist Nduduzo Nxumalo is reporting live from the scene.
https://www.facebook.com/AlexNewsZA/videos/2279962968727539/
Initial Report, 3 April, 7am
Following the threat of a total shutdown of Alexandra township today (3 April), about 40 protesters gathered on Lenin Road and were burning tyres in the middle of the street.
This was according to the MMC of Public Safety, Michael Sun, who added that protesters were also gathering on Marlboro Drive.
Sun said one ‘ring leader’ was arrested by police and said law enforcers – both police and Metro police – were on the scene and monitoring the situation.
See the tweet in full here:
Situation report 1 on Alexandra protest;
– roads blocked at Far East bank
– abt 40 people gathering at Lenin Rd & burning tyres
– protestors gathering opp KFC nxt to Sasol on Marlboro Dr
– 1 ring leader arrested by SAPS#JMPD & SAPS are on the ground dealing with the situation. pic.twitter.com/x3A27pmxbR— Cllr. Michael Sun (@MichaelSun168) April 3, 2019
Watch, Alex shutdown in full swing :
