Violent protests disrupt municipal services in JB Marks area

In response to recent violent protests and the hijacking of official Municipal vehicles, JB Marks Local Municipality has taken a firm stance against such unlawful actions.

Jeanette Tshite, Acting Manager of Communications at JB Marks Municipality, stated, “The recent incidents of violence and the hijacking of our Municipal vehicles are deeply concerning. Instead of resorting to illegal activities, residents should engage with the Municipality to address their grievances. We want to make it unequivocally clear that those responsible for these acts will face the full consequences of the law.”
The unrest initially erupted on Monday, May 13, 2024, when a group from Ikageng and surrounding areas seized Municipal vehicles, citing various reasons including unemployment. However, Tshite emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and urged residents to seek lawful avenues to voice their concerns.

Unfortunately, the turmoil continued on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, with violent demonstrations spreading across Ikageng, Extension Areas, Promosa, and Mohadin. Municipal vehicles were again forcefully seized, resulting in the destruction of property, including the burning of one truck and damage to three others.
Consequently, the Municipality was compelled to suspend service delivery to affected areas until calm was restored. Tshite confirmed that criminal cases have been filed with the South African Police Services, and investigations into the destruction of property are underway.
Despite the challenges posed by the recent violence, JB Marks Local Municipality remains committed to providing essential services under difficult circumstances. Tshite highlighted the Municipality’s duty to protect its employees and ensure service delivery with caution. This cautious approach, in collaboration with the Security Cluster, has led to the implementation of contingencies to maintain uninterrupted services, albeit with delays due to security considerations.

Tshite expressed gratitude to residents for their understanding and patience during this challenging period, while also apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the disruption of services due to the unrest.