ICYMI: Protesters demand to speak to mayor Herman Mashaba [VIDEO] #AlexShutdown
ALEXANDRA – There are some reports that Alexandra protesting residents are marching back to protest in Alex.
Update, 8 April, 2pm
Protesting Alexandra residents have demanded to be addressed by Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba after City manager Ndivhoniswani Lukhwareni went to the Region E head offices in Sandton to address them, according to Alexandra councillor, Adolph Marema.
Marema addressed the protesters and said, “The mayor has sent a City manager to speak to the residents of Alex. It is evident that the mayor does not take residents of Alexandra seriously, our people want to speak to the mayor, not the City manager. ”
Watch:
Lukhwareni said the mayor would meet the people of Alex in two stages. “He [Mashaba] will meet with the leadership of the protest to first consolidate the matters that have been raised, on 12 April and then on 15 April in Marlboro. The mayor has long-standing issues in other communities and cannot meet everyone.”
Marema retorted and said, “The mayor is running away from the issue, when there are burning issues he does not come but during political campaigns, he does door to door campaigns in Alex.”
Watch:
There are some reports that protesters are marching back to protest in Alexandra. More updates to follow.
Update, 8 April, 12.45pm
Protesters clash with police as they block Grayston Drive.
Update, 8 April, 12pm
Alexandra protesters have arrived at the City’s region E offices in Sandton to hand over a memorandum.
Update, 8 April, 10.15am
Alex total shutdown protesters have started to march towards Sandton, they are using the Grayston Drive route.
Our journalist Laura Pisanello is enroute.
Motorists are advised to avoid Grayston Drive and use alternative routes.
Watch:
Update, 8 April, 8.30am
Residents have started converging at Sankopano Community Centre where the march is expected to start from.
Our sister publication Alex News journalist, Nduduzo Nxumalo is at the centre, more updates to follow.
Initial report, 8 April, 7am
The community of Alexandra has promised to continue with their total shutdown today (8 April) after Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba failed to attend a meeting he was allegedly invited to.
One of the protest organisers, Sandile Mavundla, confirmed that residents would shut down every road entering Alexandra which will include the N3 London off-ramp, Marlboro exit and M1.
UPDATE 7am: The roads leading to Sandton from Alexandra seem clear for now. It has been suggested that the march to Sandton may be postponed due to the rain.
The peaceful march was expected to start at 7am.
JHB – #TotalAlexShutdown march to the central Sandton area planned for this morning pic.twitter.com/TiAYMx9wrX
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) April 8, 2019
Grayston Drive from Alexandra to Sandton will be the most affected later on in the day as protesters threaten to march to the Region E offices in Sandton and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Mavundla said he could not give more details of the shutdown to the media because it might compromise their plans.
Meanwhile, Mashaba said he was unaware of the meeting with the community of Alexandra.
“I have noted erroneous reports that I was due to engage the residents of Alexandra today. I believe this has been maliciously reported as I was due to lead a civic funeral in the city of Johannesburg at the same time and could not have made such a commitment,” said Mashaba.
“I will be leading engagement with the people of Alexandra regarding their grievances. I have done so on many occasions in the past, and I am certain, I will on many occasions in the future.”
Earlier last week, Alexandra residents embarked on protest action against poor service delivery, high levels of crime and the issue of illegal land use, among other issues.
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Update: #AlexTotalShutDown to resume on 8 April after Mashaba fails to attend the meeting
