POLICE are on high alert in Mandlanzini after having diffused a violent protest this morning when angry protesters torched the community hall and barricaded the road by burning tyres.
According to Richards Bay SAPS spokesperson Captain Debbie Ferreira, a large police contingent was deployed to the area in the early hours of today and they are still on scene monitoring the situation.
More than 40 residents were arrested during the protest action and taken to the Richards Bay Police Station. Police are yet to confirm the charges.
The community hall is a designated voting station.
It is believed the protest action commenced after 3am with hundreds of community members calling for responses to their service delivery issues which were raised with the City of uMhlathuze and uThungulu District Municipality more than three weeks ago.
They threatened not to vote if their concerns such as lack of tarred roads, no electricity and lack of public amenities were not addressed.
Police incepted the crowd as they were heading to Birdswood and the community members headed back to the community hall which they subsequently set alight, damaging the building as well as equipment used for community projects that were stored inside the premises.
Services at the community clinic were suspended and high school pupils were seen walking to school after 10am.
VIDEO: Clinic services have been suspended as emergency services used the clinic entrance to douse the fire at the hall.
