Limpopo on fire

School children are reportedly in the front line of renewed protest related to service delivery qualms in Mankweng took off again last night at around 20:00, leading to roads being blocked and boulders barricading routes leading to and from the settlement.
According to Provincial Police spokesperson Ronel Otto learners in uniform were staging protests by blockading roads in Mentz outside Mankweng. Apparently schools in the area are presently closed due to unrest. She stressed that the Public Order Police had been deployed in the area to disperse crowds and clear the road. By this morning everything was peaceful, but the road had not yet been sufficiently cleared.
A strong Police presence dominated to especially escort motorists and buses, as in the case of participants in the inter-high athletics meet at Phalaborwa. Sources confirmed that buses transporting young athletes from Polokwane in the early hours of this morning were being escorted on a detour via Modjadjiskloof.
It was learnt that similar strike action is brewing at Phagameng outside Modimollle, resulting in the R101 route between the town and Mookgophong currently being inaccessible. Protest was sparked by the demand for water. Otto advised motorists to use the N1 highway and be careful when driving in the area.
Mankweng has been on fire since last week as residents took to violence yet again about contested municipal bills in arrears.
In the meantime during a press conference in Polokwane yesterday Polokwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng following a meeting with Mankweng residents the previous day, announced that a fixed monthly rate would be charged in the area with immediate effect. The bills would include water, sewerage and refuse removal, she said. Accounts of Mankweng residents would be divided and a 40% rebate would be given after interest was deducted on outstanding amounts.
Nkadimeng conceded that the billing system has posed problematic since 2009 when the new system was introduced. Every second and third rating of municipal service delivery were billing-related complaints, she added.
According to her Mankweng would be prioritised when a intended smart metre reading system will be introduced on 1 April this year. Consumers would then be able to manage their water and electricity usage due to it being pre-paid.
Asked about the volatile situation, she said they had come to an agreement and added that she believed the violence would subside “but one never knows”.

Story: Editorial team

Photos: Yolande Nel