City shutdown to go ahead: Protesters to march on Premier’s Office

A PLANNED city-wide shutdown is set to proceed on Monday, July 14, with a march to the Premier’s Office to hand over a memorandum of grievances. The document highlights issues such as poor service delivery, crumbling infrastructure, and unaffordable electricity tariffs, and includes a demand for Sol Plaatje municipal Speaker Dipuo Peters to step down.

Participants in the protest will begin gathering from 5:30am in various areas, including Roodepan, Galeshewe, Homevale, Homelite, Colville, Floors, Mogul Park, and Greenpoint.

Traffic disruptions are expected at the traffic circle near the R31; intersections along Barkly Road, John Daka, and Roodepan; access roads leading into Greenpoint and Beaconsfield; Nobengula Road; as well as roads leading to the Diamond Pavilion Mall and the Premier's Office.

On Sunday, Boyce Makodi from the Kimberley Action Group (KAG) dismissed a circulating letter — bearing a letterhead and his forged signature — which falsely claimed that the march had been cancelled. He described it as fake information aimed at derailing the protest.

SAPS on high alert

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the greater Kimberley area has confirmed that it is on high alert and fully prepared to maintain law and order during the planned service delivery shutdown.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers urged participants and residents to act within the law to ensure the safety and security of all community members.

“Unlawful conduct, including damage to property or harm to individuals, will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate action,” Ehlers said.

“All necessary resources have been mobilised and deployed to monitor protest activities and to maintain public order throughout the course of the shutdown.”

She warned that no acts of lawlessness or criminality would be tolerated. 

“Those who are found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly,” Ehlers stated. 

Sol Plaatje rejects attempts to ‘destabilise’ council

Meanwhile, Sol Plaatje acting mayor Isaac Ruiters said the shutdown was a deliberate attempt to destabilise the council.

He described KAG’s demand for Speaker Dipuo Peters to be permanently barred from public office — following her 2024 parliamentary suspension while serving as Minister of Transport — as a “distortion of facts.”

“We should avoid being careless in its interpretation. Further, clarity should be sought from Parliament. We should not deliberately mislead the public when hellbent on targeting the Speaker to destabilise council. We should also consider that council has been democratically elected, when calling for it to be dissolved. Only the political party that she represents and council can determine her tenure and end thereof.”

Ruiters added that the council was fulfilling its Constitutional duties and had a responsibility to complete its term until 2026.

“What is disturbing is the call for co-governance through the call for an establishment of a structure or committee that will preoccupy itself with all business and governance of the municipality. The intention is aimed at suspending council and eroding its democratic existence.” 

He encouraged anyone with evidence of corruption and maladministration to report it to the relevant law enforcement agencies. 

“In cases where it is presented with evidence, the Office of the Executive Mayor commits to act swiftly on all allegations. We are addressing allegations of nepotism, incompetence, poor service delivery, failure to deal with unemployment, failure to formalise informal settlements, unilateral decision making, unaffordable tariffs and overlooking locals when opportunities arise — which were raised by the KAG.”

Ruiters stated that a meeting was scheduled with the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry to address the concerns of business and drive economic growth.  

“We are acting on water losses through the R2.5 billion budget facility for infrastructure aimed at addressing ageing water infrastructure. The installation of smart electricity meters is making headway to curtail losses. An application has been made to the Department of Water and Sanitation and National Treasury to deal with sewage spillages.” 

He pointed out that the 9.6 percent electricity increase was below the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s threshold of 12.74 percent.

“The 4.4 percent increase in water, refuse removal, property rates and sanitation equally demonstrates that we are a pro-poor municipality and are sensitive to the challenging economic times gripping the nation. Council has adopted policies to cushion indigent families, child-headed households and the unemployed.” 

He urged that the demonstration be peaceful and that the rights and free movement of the public should not be infringed upon. 

“There should be no destruction of property as experienced in 2018. We trust that the KAG will abide by its promise to stage a peaceful demonstration.”