Police fire on Potsdam service delivery protest - Mshiniwam Mshiniwam

FURIOUS RESPONSE: Residents of Potsdam, in Mdantsane, vent their anger in fire against the slow pace of service delivery, while police attempt to contain the protest. Pictures: MICHAEL PINYANA

POLICE yesterday used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse hundreds of disgruntled residents of Potsdam village who blockaded their main road protesting a lack of service delivery.

Trouble erupted at the village near Mdantsane’s NU18 after police declared the gathering illegal and ordered the residents to disperse.

Instead, residents who had littered the road with burning tyres, rubbish bins, rocks and branches, began stoning the contingent of about 20 police officers.

Police then shot rubber bullets and teargas in the direction of the unruly crowd, who were also singing Mshiniwam Mshiniwam (a warcry made popular by ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma).

Mlungisi Matomela, a member of a task team formed by residents, said police arrested about 20 residents.

Police Captain Leon Fortune confirmed “a group of people” had been arrested for public violence.

Schoolchildren at the scene said they had not been to school because the roads were blocked.

Residents told the Dispatch they were fed up with the lack of housing, sanitation and infrastructure, including roads and electricity.

They said they took action yesterday after their letters to both Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela and Buffalo City mayor Zintle Peter appealing for their urgent intervention failed to yield results.

Last week, the residents threatened to turn Potsdam village into another Khutsong if they did not get a response from Balindlela by the end of this week.

“When they want votes they run to us with promises but they fail to fulfil them,” said Matomela.

“We have no life here, and that means our children will not get anywhere in life. We have a right to service delivery.”

Another disgruntled resident said: “People have burnt to death inside shacks and we are forced to carry their bodies away as there are no roads for cars.”

Provincial government spokesperson Phaphama Mfenyana was unable to confirm whether the residents’ letter had been received by Balindlela.

However, he said they would follow up on the correspondence and then refer the concerns to the relevant government departments.

“We urge the community to give the Premier a chance to respond, which she will do within 14 days,” Mfenyana said

Vuyo Zambodla, the director in the Office of the Mayor, said he was not aware of the letter and would therefore not comment.

Residents also called for the immediate removal of their ward councillor, Lindelwa Maxengwana. - Daily Dispatch