Madiba Park protesters to meet over 'inhumane' living conditions

Residents of Madiba Park are scheduled to meet with officials from Sol Plaatje Municipality and the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) on Monday, following protest action over their deplorable living conditions on July 18.

They stated that promises of installing basic services, including water and electricity, as well as demarcating the streets and formalising the area, have not materialised despite several reassurances from the ward councillor and the Speaker. 

Residents also called for the 500-odd foreign nationals who were residing in Madiba Park to be removed from the informal settlement. 

“There has been an infiltration of crime and drugs in the area. Where are the funds going that keep getting allocated to formalise the area?” they asked. 

Roads were blocked around the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature during the early hours of  Friday morning ahead of a high-level cabinet oversight visit led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ministers, MECs and municipal heads in the city to assess the state of service delivery in the province.

One resident indicated that he was arrested at his home and accused of instigating the protest. 

“When we cry out for decent living conditions and what is promised to us, we are arrested.”

He added that he was later released.

A picket took place at the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, where residents demanded an audience with the President so that he could personally witness their living conditions. 

The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembisile Simelane, the MEC for Coghsta Bentley Vass, Sol Plaatje executive mayor Martha Bartlett and other officials briefly addressed the protestors. 

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said around 200 disgruntled community members blockaded Nobengula Road in Galeshewe on Friday with burning tyres and rocks at about 5.30 am.

“The protesters marched from Nobengula Road to the Provincial Legislature in Galeshewe, while the police were monitoring the situation.”

He stated that the road was opened for traffic at approximately 9 am. 

“No serious incidents were reported to the SAPS.“The situation is back to normal but is still being monitored by the SAPS,” Kock said. 

Sol Plaatje Municipality will comment following Monday's meeting with community representatives.