City condemns vandalism in service delivery protest
While the City condemns the vandalism of municipal property during protests, officials have met with the community of the Kennedy Road informal settlement to address their concerns.
ETHEKWINI Municipality responded to angry Kennedy Road informal settlement dwellers who staged a service delivery protest on the N2 Umgeni Road interchange on Monday morning.
Protesters blocked the road, burning, tyres and wood from about 6.30am which severely impacted on morning traffic. The group of about 50 men also allegedly threw stones at police, before they were cleared from the scene.
According to Phiwokwakhe Mchunu, acting chairman of the Development Committee protestors were tired of the municipality giving them empty promises. “The municipality has made promises about houses all the time but they see nothing. The people are tired and are doing this because they see no change in service delivery with housing, electricity and toilets,” he said.
A municipal truck was allegedly set on fire close to Ethekwini College and two large containers were also moved from the informal settlement towards the road by angry protestors.
According to EThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa the demands of the community are linked to a fire which occurred last year, affecting more than 700 dwellings.
Whilst temporary accommodation was provided for more than 520 families affected by that fire, Mthethwa said space constraints on the site led to approximately 180 families having to remain in the community hall.
“EThekwini municipality is working with the Provincial Department of Human Settlements to assist families with materials to re-build their dwellings. The material will be distributed as soon as the rightful recipients have been verified. The local committee is busy checking against the list of people affected by the fire,” Mthethwa explained.
A representative from the Mayor’s office met with the community on Monday evening to address their concerns. Phiwokwakhe Mchunu, acting chairman of the Development Committee based in Kennedy Road said the community was glad the municipality was “starting to follow through on their promises.” “They came this morning with building material and the people are satisfied at the moment,” he added.
The City said it condemned the vandalism of Municipal property and other Municipal assets during protests. “The Kennedy Road community is urged to table their concerns through appropriate channels, such as communicating with their ward councillor, so that their concerns can be addressed amicably without resorting to violence.”
