Port Shepstone drivers awoke to a closed N2 Main Harding Road earlier this morning due to a public protest.
The residents of Bhoboyi ward 23 outside Port Shepstone protested along the road from dawn, and blockaded the N2 to demand water from Ugu District Municipality.
The N2 was strewn with litter including piles of burning tyres, wood, logs and branches of trees. The stones and litter were all over the road including broken bottles.
One of the protesters said they have been without water for four weeks in ward 23. They blamed Ugu as it is the municipal authority mandated to deliver water to them, but that it was ‘sleeping on duty’ and doing nothing to supply water to them.
“It’s been four weeks with no water, the people of ward 23 here in Boboyi are not happy and demand that Ugu supplies water to them. We closed the road because we are angry with Ugu. We want the mayor, Phumlile Mthiyane to address us,” said one of the protesters.
As people were going to work at around 07:20 the protesters allowed them to walk freely without any interruptions, but private motorists could not use the N2.
The public taxis could not work from ABC or the exact spot of the protest, but from other taxi stops such as KwaNgwabe, taxis were able to operate freely today.
The road at ABC opened up to motorists at 07:40 as police monitored the situation. The police worked with Ugu officials to clear the road that was partially closed which caused some inconvenience to drivers using the N2.
Ward 23 councillor Welcome Mngqosini could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Ugu spokesman, France Zama had not responded to emails enquiring about the protest related to water service delivery shortages.
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