Update: Protestors disperse, N2 remains closed
MEC Willies Mchunu is expected to address the protestors tomorrow.
AFTER a day and a half of demonstrating on the N2, protestors have dispersed.
However, the N2 remains closed to motorists until further notice. Motorists can use alternative routes such the P200, P55 which will take them back onto the N2 at Paddock.
The four men and one woman arrested earlier today have been released, and the docket has been sent to the state prosecutor for a decision.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid said the protestors have not been charged. The man arrested for public violence yesterday appeared in court this morning.
Willies Mchunu, MEC of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison is expected to address the protestors tomorrow at 11am.
Earlier today, parents were asked to collect their children from Merlewood Primary. The school asks parents to use their own discretion on whether to bring their children to school tomorrow.
The Herald received information that protestors allegedly prevented pupils from attending Merlewood Secondary this morning. The school appeared to be closed as the Herald was unable to contact the school for comment despite several attempts.
Mzwandile Mkhwanazi, ANC South Coast regional secretary, said the ANC understood the plight of community, as ‘nobody can live without water’.
He said that while they supported the actions taken by the protestors, he stressed that they must do things within the constraints of the law. “We condemn any criminal activities such as the stoning of vehicles and the killing of people,” he said.
He added Ugu was working around the clock to restore water to various areas.
People have the rights to strike if they don’t get service delivery but they must do it in a proffesional way not to kill innocent people not to prevent our children to go to school not to damage police vehicles because they still need the police also the municipality must not wait untill someone dies inorder to attend the problem this thing started from last week it shouldn’t have gone this far.
i thnk there for the people of south coast they had to protest so that they will be attended sap , this thing of poor service dilivery has been going on in south coast for along time i think it enough now , it also affects us even while we in universities knowing that back home they dont have water , i have surveyed this also in harding kwamachi where iam from we still have that problem of service dilivery our councellors dont attend our complains , i thnk it about time that all south coast people should embark and help our fellow brothers ans sisters and our parent to be heard by the district i know most political parties which are so barbaric will use this as a chance to win these people but now it not about politic it about people of south coast who need all the support to be heard by the district , it not time for opportunistic politicians lets all embark on that protest so that we will see service dilivery in our place I REST MY CASE THANK YOU