[PHOTOS] Pupils stranded as protesters block roads
Metro Police officers had to clear burnt tyre rubble off the road after a protest erupted on Tuesday morning in KwaDabeka as the community was calling for better sanitation facilities.
TRAFFIC was severely affected as chaos erupted in Ward 19 when people burnt tyres and, using rocks, blocked the roads between Clermont and KwaDabeka on Tuesday morning, complaining about sanitation.
Most pupils were left stranded as vehicles could not access the road. Some pupils had to walk to get to school.
Ward 19 councillor, Bheki Mvubu, condemned the acts of violence.
According to Mvubu, the protest was illegal and no one from the community had come forward with their grievances.
“From what I have gathered, they were complaining about the toilets in their area. The issue of the toilets has been a problem for so many years.
I have conducted a meeting with the Department of Water and Sanitation and a decision was made that the work will start in October.
“In the last two weeks I have held three meetings with the communities involved and addressed them about this issue. People need to understand that these things take time and there are always procedures to be followed.”
He added that he understands that it their right to protest, but they should not deprive other people of their rights.
“Children have a right to go to school and be educated and people have the right to work. Most people did not go to work today because of the protest,” said Mvubu.
He urged the people to be patient.
There were also reports that two trucks had been set alight by protesters.
