A group of angry Alicedale residents has once again resorted to protests and burning tyres following their unhappiness with Makana Municipality's management.
A group of angry Alicedale residents has once again resorted to protests and burning tyres following their unhappiness with Makana Municipality's management.
Public Order Police were called after residents took to the streets again today, Tuesday, 7 April, angry at a delayed response to their demands.
This afternoon, South African National Civic Organisation member Zanemvula Ntoyanto told Grocott's Mail that the workers had been toyi-toying in the streets burning tyres, but had since dispersed.
Ntoyanto said they had vowed to continue protesting until the government offered a positive way forward. He said they had been in a meeting with Makana Administrator Pam Yako and that she had promised to fax them information today; however, she had not yet done so.
"When the councillor spoke to her today, she said she was in Cape Town and would respond when she returns to Grahamstown," Ntoyanto said.
Police confirmed last 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. A group 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.
Ntoyanto said today that the residents were also trying to follow up on the cause of death of the woman and the legality of the arrests of the 36 people.
In a statement released today, police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said Alicedale police were on alert as around 200 angry community members earlier blockaded the town’s two entrances with stones, burning tyres and branches.
"With reinforcements from the neighbouring Paterson police station, SAPS members are currently at the scene monitoring the situation," Mjekula said this morning. He said Public Order police in Port Elizabeth had been notified.
Apart from blocking the town’s two entry points from Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth, no violence had erupted, police said.
"The residents are marching up and down the main road, with no sign of hostility. However, as a precautionary measure, police advise people to avoid Alicedale, if they can, at this stage," Mjekula said this morning.
Mjekula said according to information received by police today, the latest action was a resumption of the earlier protest against Makana Municipality over lack of development in the small town, about 53km from Grahamstown.
"The residents are reportedly angry that the Makana Municipality has not sent the residents’ committee confirmation of the start date of the housing and road repair projects as promised," he said.
