‘You have failed us’: Residents protest over poor service, warn of escalation

PROTEST action continued in Tyson Street yesterday, despite Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala donning his gumboots to inspect leaking sewage, littered streets, and blocked drains in Galeshewe earlier this week.

The road has been obstructed with rocks and burning tyres since July 29, with protesters claiming that around 6,000 residents in the ward are suffering due to service delivery failures, high unemployment, and escalating crime and drug abuse.

A strong police presence continues to monitor the area.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said yesterday that the situation remained volatile.

"Members from the Kimberley Public Order Police dispersed a crowd of protesters in Tyson Street in Galeshewe on July 30 at approximately 7pm. The protesters reportedly barricaded the road with burning tyres and rocks. No arrests were made and no injuries were reported," said Ehlers.

She added that the police remained on high alert and would continue to monitor the situation.

A group of protesters also visited the Sol Plaatje Municipality offices yesterday, expressing frustration with what they described as more “empty promises”.

A speed bump that was hurriedly erected in Tyson Street failed to appease residents.

Community members claimed that a R350 million tender to upgrade the Galeshewe Day Hospital into a district hospital had been awarded to a contractor from outside the province, sidelining local workers.

“Workers and contractors from Limpopo are given preference for job opportunities at the expense of unemployed locals,” they said.

They also complained of being victimised for exercising their right to protest, saying they were sprayed with a water cannon and shot at with rubber bullets.

Ward 33 protesters reiterated that around 6,000 residents were affected by poor service delivery, including leaking sewage, sanitation issues, and water challenges.

Community leader Lawrence Mkhwanazi warned that if the police used firearms, residents would retaliate and escalate protest actions “to the next level”.

“We will fight fire with fire. We are being bullied by guns and water tankers,” said Mkhwanazi.

He demanded that the municipality immediately reduce the price of electricity.

Mkhwanazi noted that during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Kimberley on July 25, he was locked in meetings at Sol Plaatje University instead of engaging with residents and hearing their concerns.

“The premier and municipal officials sit in air-conditioned homes and offices, while the elderly are using their Sassa cards to keep the lights on. They are failing us  — we are livid because our lives don’t matter. We are expected to keep quiet while we are living in appalling conditions, with sewage pipes that have been leaking for the past seven years.”

He added that residents reliant on oxygen machines were at risk of dying, as they could no longer afford the high cost of electricity.

Residents said cleansing trucks sent to the area on Tuesday failed to return to complete the work.

Meanwhile, Matlala committed to establishing a “bomb squad” to find practical solutions to the community’s grievances.

He advised, however, that the sewage challenges could not be resolved overnight.