Community holds service delivery protest.
MIDRAND - The community of Kanana took to the streets to protest the poor service delivery of land ownership.
Early in the morning of 23 April, community members and the South African National Civic Organisation Sol Plaatjie branch closed the roads in Kanana. Residents said they had been promised stand 1075 and stand 1345 in Rabie Ridge in 2011, but nothing has materialised.
The organisation’s spokesperson Marcus Mojela said, “In February MMC for Housing Dan Bovu promised us title deeds for the land but that never happened. We are tired of empty promises. We are not happy with the outcome of the meeting we had with the councillors on 23 April. We hope on 24 April MMC Bovu will come and speak to us as promised.”
Ward 80 councillor Queen Sikweqa said protesters caused chaos for road users. “In the morning, protesters closed roads around Kanana extentions 4 and 5, mainly Parliament and Church streets. At first protesters wanted to be violent but police intervened. The South African National Civic Organisation and community members protested against the delay in issuing land that they were promised by the City of Joburg.
“I met with community members and the civic organisation’s representatives for six hours, trying to hear their concerns. All parties involved have agreed to have a public meeting with MMC for Housing Dan Bovu on 24 April at Kanana Community Hall to settle the matter peacefully.”
MMC Bovu said he knew about the protest, “I am meeting with the community members tomorrow, 24 April.”
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said calm had been restored to the area. “The situation in Kanana has been peacefully quietened, and 12 people were arrested for public violence after they tried to block the road again. No property damage has been reported.”
