Roads open again after buildings and vehicles set alight by protesters
Three people were also arrested earlier on Tuesday for public violence after a municipal guard house was set alight.
Protest action which started on Tuesday morning this week led to large scale damage of property as buildings and vehicles were set ablaze in Izongelweni.
At the time of writing (late Wednesday afternoon) the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Sipho Hlomuka had visited the area to address the protesters.
And according to Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) spokesman, Zinhle Mali the R102 was open to traffic by yesterday afternoon (March 24), however the N2 at Izingolweni was closed to motorists.
During the week, large groups of people had gathered to protest against water shortages.
“On Tuesday night in Izingolweni, the Izingolweni hall, a municipal building, five vehicles and a grader were set alight by unruly protesters,” said provincial police spokesman, Captain Nqobile Gwala.
Three people were also arrested earlier on Tuesday for public violence after a municipal guard house was set alight.
A case of public violence was opened for investigation.
“Four trucks were also set alight at Louisiana on Tuesday afternoon. Charges of malicious damage to property were opened for investigation at Port Shepstone SAPS.”
According to Captain Gwala, yesterday (March 24) at Izingolweni CBD, a group of people broke into a business premises and stole liquor.
The N2 freeway in Hibberdene and Izingolweni was blocked and motorists were advised to use alternate routes.
Public Order Police and local police were on scene.
Initially, according to Captain Gwala, about 5 000 community members embarked on protest action as they burnt tyres and blocked the N2 at Izongelweni in the early hours of Tuesday (March 23).
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