Malacca Road a no-go area, warns councillor

UMHLANGA ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, has labelled Malacca Road a no-go area and has urged residents to stay away if possible. Violence erupted last night after several residents from the informal settlement barricaded the busy road with items from the nearby dump. Several tyres were also set alight in an attempt to highlight the lack of service delivery in the area. Residents also stoned cars during the protest.

Residents are unhappy about what they deem a ‘false promise’ given to them by the housing department that they would be moved to Cornubia. Residents also say they are tired of their illegal electricity connections being removed despite promises they would receive free electricity.

“At this point the road is still a no-go area, the protest is also affecting the stormwater and roads department offices, which are located behind the informal settlement. There has been considerable damage to the road because of items being set alight and there is debris of burnt rubbish and other items still across the road.

“The residents will only budge once they have met with members from the housing and electricity departments. I have been informed the electricity department will address the residents later today. We also need Durban Solid Waste (DSW) on the scene to clean up the substantial mess,” De Boer said.