Alex residents call meeting, Mashaba still a no-show
Schools in Alex have remained closed as community members grow impatient with the Joburg mayor's failure to address them.
Protesters in Alexandra township in Johannesburg shut down the township over lack of service delivery, 3 April 2019. Roads were barricaded and blocked with burning tyres, as hundreds marched demanding better basic services. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Residents of Alexandra are still hoping that the city of Johannesburg’s executive mayor, Herman Mashaba, will come to provide them with answers on issues of service delivery, illegal structures, and development in the area, Alex News reports.
Schools were the most affected as they remain closed in the township since Wednesday.
ALSO READ: Alexandra protests an ANC stunt, Mashaba says, but residents disagree
Organisers of the protest said it was all on the shoulders of Mashaba, who they want to come and address them. Organisers had called for a community meeting for Monday, but it has since been moved to today, with an invitation for the mayor to attend.
#AlexShutDown a stern message from one of the residents in Alex pic.twitter.com/K9mbnlrtcR
— Tshegohaco Moagi (@TshegoMoagi_) April 5, 2019
Community members are accusing the city of Johannesburg of failing to stop the rapid growth of illegal structures and had vowed to press on with the protest until they heard from the DA mayor.
https://twitter.com/NeoMotloung_/status/1114107198060355585
On Wednesday, irate Alexandra residents began barricading roads with rocks and burning tyres to protest against a lack of service delivery in the area, as well as voice their concerns that the city council had not developed the area or clamped down on illegal structures.
Mashaba responded to the protest action with a statement, explaining that he had noted the protests, and sympathised with the challenges of the community. But, he has failed to address the community, instead sending mayoral committee member for public safety Michael Sun.
“I have noted protests taking place in Alexandra as they relate to housing challenges and illegal occupation of land within the community. I deeply sympathise with the challenges experienced by the residents of Alex,” Mashaba said in a statement.
Some experts have postulated that the protest action was an electioneering stunt by the ANC against the DA ahead of the elections.
Additional reporting by Gcina Ntsaluba.
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