The R536 is now open for motorists after it was blocked by protesters from the Shabalala community, demanding the end of water tankers.
They barricaded the road with burning tyres and stones, claiming that the City of Mbombela (CoM) had discontinued their water supply since July last year and introduced water tankers. Some of the protesters who wanted to remain anonymous said the water was deliberately switched off so that “comrades with water tank trucks could benefit.”
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“We used to have water in our yards for years until last year when they switched it off and started to supply water with trucks, and they come during the week while some of us are still at work. We are forced to buy water from the same trucks that are contracted with the CoM. We have tried to engage the municipality, but our demands fell on deaf ears, so we decided to use the language they understand better,” they said.
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They said they would continue to barricade the road during peak hours until the water was restored to their yards, and threatened to torch the water tanker trucks if the municipality failed to address their grievances.
The CoM’s spokesperson Joseph Ngala, was not available for comment by the time of publishing.
This is a developing story. Lowvelder will update its readers when more information becomes available.
