While Alicedale's streets were peaceful last week, the municipal offices remained closed as community members recovered from the events of Monday 23 March. Activists say they are expecting a visit from the Office of the Premier. Police confirmed this week that an elderly woman died days after the protests, on Thursday 26 March.
While Alicedale's streets were peaceful last week, the municipal offices remained closed as community members recovered from the events of Monday 23 March. Activists say they are expecting a visit from the Office of the Premier. Police confirmed this week that an elderly woman died days after the protests, on Thursday 26 March.
Thirty-six people were arrested, including Alicedale councillor Ernest Louw.
Protesters became angry when Makana Mayor Zamuxolo Peter failed to arrive to address them on the morning of 23 March.
Protesters set fire to the community hall and the tyres of the vehicle belonging to acting municipal manager Mandisi Planga were slashed.
Planga had been sent to address residents in Peter's place.
During previous protests on Friday, a promise that the Mayor would meet them to hear a range of service delivery grievances had seen them return to their homes.
Alicedale, 53km from Grahamstown, falls under the local government jurisdiction of Makana Municipality.
Port Alfred spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula confirmed that an Alicedale community member had died during the week of the protests. Mjekula said Shiyiwe Noluthando Plaatjie had died of heart problems.
Plaatjie, according to police was admitted to Settlers Hospital on Thursday, 26 March and was about to be transferred to Port Elizabeth when she died at Settlers Hospital.
"It cannot be confirmed if she participated in the protest march or if she was part of the public violence incident on Monday, 23 March," Mjekula said.
Police confirmed that she was not one of the 36 people arrested that Monday.
South African National Civic Organisation member Zanemvula Ntoyanto told Grocott's Mail on Tuesday 31 March that while Alicedale was peaceful this week, the strike was still on.
He said the community had sent a petition to the Eastern Cape Premier's Office.
"We are now waiting for a delegation from the Premier's Office to come and address Alicedale residents," Ntoyanto said.
"We are expecting the Premier, and representatives from the departments of housing, roads, infrastructure and rural development to come and tell us what they plan to do to improve things in Alicedale."
Speaking about last week's protests, Ntoyanto said, "We don't understand why they brought in POP [the Public Order Policing unit].
"People were peaceful the previous week.
They resolved problems at the school through negotiations.
