MATSULU – What started off as a peaceful protest, erupted into chaos. This was when local youth centre residents went on strike regarding service delivery on Friday morning.
About 200 protesters blockaded the entrance to Matsulu prohibiting anyone leaving or exiting the township. Many claimed they had been without water for five years.
The march brought disruption to community members who were not part of it as many were left without transport to go to work and back.
Negotiations with the protesters were to no avail, so police used rubber bullets and smoke bombs to disperse the public. One resident was shot in the head and taken to hospital. He suffered head injuries and four were arrested.
The Youth Centre residents had tried to stop those who were supposed to go to work, blocking the road to the N4. Matsulu police first managed to clear some other routes that had been blocked, but failed to clear a way to the N4 until backup arrived.
Silulumanzi spokesperson Mr Richmond Jele said they had placed water tanks at the centre so that people could obtain water. “Vaterkan supplies water to the tanks on a daily basis.”
Jele added that the last time he had checked there were 26 tanks available. He said the water supplied was drawn from water-treatment works, and was clean. The water tanks were implemented in 2008 yet Matsulu had grown rapidly since then.
It was alleged that the protesters hadn’t informed any officials responsible for their complaints before they embarked on the march. The people alleged that they had wanted to negotiate with MEC for safety and security, Mr Vusi Shongwe regarding their water supply.
The residents claimed that the water tanks were dirty. Mr Themba Ndubane, a resident of the centre, said, “Vaterkans supplies water to the tanks at night. We can’t see if it is clean or dirty. We have depended on tanks for a long time, now we demand standpipes and meters. All we want from our municipality is water and we are ready to pay for it.”
Mr Zaid Boroko of the Mbombela mayoral committee addressed the residents saying they should have a committee to represent them. “There is no problem here. This is a politically motivated agenda to disrupt people and make us look bad.”
