UPDATE: R51 leading through Kingsway open after protest action (Video)
R51 near Kingsway is clear.
The MMC of Human Settlements, Lesiba Mpya, addressed the community of Lindelani Informal Settlement today (Thursday) and supplied feedback regarding the issue of water and electricity.
The MMC for Infrastructure Services, Robert Mashego, addressed the community of the Lindelani Informal Settlement on Wednesday afternoon.
Also read: UPDATE: Kingsway Avenue (R51) still closed as protest continues
The community has been protesting since early Monday morning, demanding water and electricity.
The community alleges that promises have been made over the past few years but nothing has happened.
The R51 has been closed at irregular intervals since Monday morning as the road was littered with burning tyres and stones.
Mashego was met with a hostile reception and had trouble getting the community to listen to him.
Also read: Three arrested for public violence following protest on Kingsway Avenue
During the address, Mashego admitted that the community met with the mayor on October 8 last year and the community handed over a memorandum with a list of their needs on it.
In an extraordinary admission, Mashego admitted to the crowd that they could not locate the memorandum at the mayor’s office.
This admission was met with jeers from the large crowd as they felt they were not being taken seriously.
The rest of the meeting was rowdy as the crowd kept interrupting Mashego.
Also read: Springs journalist injured while covering protest
The community wanted a time frame of when they would be given electricity and water as they allege they have been waiting for years.
Mashego stated that as Ekurhuleni: “We have taken a decision that all settlements, formal and informal, will have electricity and water.”
This announcement was welcomed by the community.
Since the protests started on Monday morning, three people have been arrested for public violence.
Try these alternative routes:
Drivers are advised to rather use Welgedacht Road via Breswol when travelling between Springs and Benoni.
Video taken and submitted on Wednesday.
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