Situation calm after protest rocks Roodepan road
MIDLANDS Road in Roodepan has returned to a state of calm following a service delivery protest that erupted early on Monday morning by the residents of Jacksonville Extension.
The demonstration, sparked by demands for the completion of surveying and cleaning operations in the local informal settlement, concluded after municipal intervention.
A delegation from the office of the Sol Plaatje executive mayor addressed the community and dispatched machinery to carry out the work.
The police are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Community members earlier voiced their grievances, citing frustration over halted work since December 2023, with no communication or progress updates from the Sol Plaatje Municipality or the local ward councillor.
The recent return of municipal trucks, which serviced only three streets before vanishing, further fuelled the community’s discontent.
A community meeting was held with the ward councillor on Thursday, April 18, where they sought answers. The councillor was accused of failing to provide satisfactory responses.
In protest, community members barricaded the main road on Monday with burning tyres and tree branches from as early as 2am.
The police dispersed the crowd by using rubber bullets and stun grenades.
According to a community member, the councillor then reached out to the mayor’s office for someone to address the community.
“The councillor waited with us for Vincent Phuroe, who said that the mayor was out of town. We were assured that work would resume immediately and be completed within two weeks,” said the community member.
Keba Mususe, a spokesperson at the mayor’s office, confirmed that work has recommenced on site.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the Roodepan SAPS are investigating a case of public violence after three people, one man and two women, were arrested during the protest action.
“Around 200 community members barricaded the Roodepan main road from about 3.30am on April 22, 2024. The Public Order Policing unit and Roodepan SAPS were deployed to the scene. The police had to use stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd,” said Kock.
“The road was opened to traffic at about 7am. The police are still patrolling and monitoring the area. The investigation continues.”
