Wilgeheuwel residents protest against service delivery issues
Residents closed off Sterretjie Street in protest against heavy traffic and lengthy power outages.
At around 5:30 today, February 15, residents of Wilgeheuwel took to Sterretjie Street, close to the corner of Van Staden Road, in protest.
According to the Honeydew Community Police Forum, the road had been blocked off until just before 7:00 by the protestors.
According to the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch, the protest was allegedly due to residents who ‘have had enough of the authorities’ failure to regulate heavy traffic’.
“Honeydew Police and Public Order Police units are on the scene. The road has been reopened but the authorities will stay there to monitor it. Traffic is flowing again,” stated the Honeydew CPF in an update on the protest action just before 7:00.
While many believed the protest to be mainly about the road closure detour, Honeydew Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Dave Stanton-Humphreys, elaborated on the cause of the resident’s frustration.
“The local residents had been without electricity for five days. The Duty Officer instructed our Public Order Policing Unit to accompany three representatives from amongst the protesters to Florida City Power offices. This action resulted in electricity being restored within two hours and there were no further disturbances thereafter,” explained Warrant Officer Stanton-Humphreys.
This is a developing story, the Northsider will keep the community updated as more information becomes available.
