Rubber bullets fired as Seshego residents protest over water

POLOKWANE – Police in Seshego have fired rubber bullets and blocked Nelson Mandela Drive to prevent residents in the area from marching to the municipality over the ongoing water crisis.

A large crowd have gathered at the Seshego Circle Centre, demanding the Executive Mayor, John Mpe act on promises made to restore water supply to the municipal area.

Reports have also emerged of a Great North Transport bus that was set alight in the area.

On Tuesday, Mpe condemned and discouraged any effort or plans to infringe other individuals’ rights and to sabotage public infrastructure.

“People have a right to march, however it should not infringe on people’s rights. People must be allowed to carry on with their daily business. Children must be allowed to go to school, businesses must be allowed to operate and people must be able to go to work. No one must be forced to participate in a march,” he said in a statement.

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said any violent protest, conduct and sabotage of infrastructure is discouraged because it will further escalate the problem and will not solve it.

“It must be acknowledged that it [water crisis] is going to be with us, however, the municipality has a plan to address the challenge and is not going to leave any stone unturned,” he said.

A resident designated to handle media queries, George Thembo told the Polokwane Observer on Tuesday that should the municipality not respond to their memorandum of demands within the requested period, support from neighbouring associations such as the Mankweng and Flora Park’s taxi associations will be gathered, if the need arises.

Read more: Water shutdown to affect commuters in Polokwane and Seshego

Residents in Seshego are now being ferried to the Polokwane Municipality.

Thembo said marchers will be using Landdros Mare Street as a hub into Polokwane from Seshego.