Residents of Delmas Ext 6 in Mpumalanga took to the N12 national road, burning tyres to disrupt traffic in protest against ongoing water shortages and high electricity bills.
The recent implementation of a credit collection policy by the Victor Kanye municipality has exacerbated tensions.
This policy aims to fairly collect outstanding payments from households, but it is alleged that those unable to pay are unable to load electricity on their meter boxes.
Bongiwe Shumba, a resident of Delmas Ext 6, says she is disappointed by the lack of municipal services.
“I am up to date with my payments. I went to the municipality offices to get a discount so that I can at least pay R100 per month to reduce my debt, but I am still without water. In our section, we only get water through truck refills. I am very disappointed.”
Residents claim they have been without water for almost a month.
Their demand for answers from the mayor led them to block the N12, believing that disrupting traffic would prompt a faster response.
The Delmas Victor Kanye municipality mayor, Vusi Buda, eventually addressed the community, acknowledging their concerns.
He encouraged unemployed residents to apply for discounts at the municipal offices, bringing necessary documents such as an affidavit of unemployment, housing documents, and ID copies.
“Unemployed people must come to the municipality offices to apply for a discount. They must come with all the necessary documents, and from there they will get help,” Buda said.
However, the community remained sceptical, citing the distance to the municipal office and previous unhelpful experiences with municipal workers. They vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.
Gugu Groom, another resident, said the protest was important. “I believe we are doing the right thing here, fighting for what is right.
“Why would the municipality introduce such a system knowing very well that half of the people here are unemployed?
“Where are we supposed to get the money to pay for those debts? This protest will continue until they consider listening to our complaints,” Groom said.
IOL