Two schools and a clinic in Ngubeni, Pietermaritzburg have been closed since Monday. Photo: Nompendulo Ngubane
Two schools and a clinic in Ngubeni, Pietermaritzburg have been closed since Monday. Photo: Nompendulo Ngubane
Businesses, suburbs, and communities are reportedly on the verge of collapse. Some residents have been left without electricity for weeks. And now, anarchic protests are engulfing the streets. The Municipality of Msunduzi has endured a frightening fall from grace over the past few years – and the municipality may soon slip even further.
Could Msunduzi become a local disaster area?
That’s because the DA is pushing for Msunduzi to be reclassified as a ‘local disaster area’. They argue that the City Mayor and his ANC colleagues have failed to address ‘a never-ending crisis’. Ross Strachan, an opposition councillor leading the charge, bemoaned the municipality’s inability to restore basic services – and he wants drastic changes.
“Violent protest actions have caused turmoil, destruction, and despair in the lower CBD. Today, for the second day in a row, residents of Sweetwaters blocked roads and burnt tires demanding their electricity be restored. This once-thriving city has been brought to its knees by an ANC Government that places the interests of its own first, and those of its people last.”
“We call on the KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Sipho Hlomuka, to declare the municipality a local disaster area. As it stands, anarchy has engulfed the Capital City of KZN in Pietermaritzburg. Days have now turned into weeks without electricity in parts of the City.” | Ross Strachan
KZN municipality ‘may need emergency intervention’
Hectic scenes have played out in the heart of Msunduzi this week, accelerating the call for local disaster area status. Protestors allegedly set a shop alight in Pietermaritzburg, after chaos broke out on Tuesday night. Angry residents blockaded the streets with burning debris, and riots have continued since – disrupting local businesses and traffic.
The Pietermaritzburg protesters are allegedly angry about their electricity supply. A group of about 300 community members from Jika Joe Informal Settlement embarked upon a course of violent and disruptive action. This is just the latest in a long line of fierce demonstrations, and for many, the final straw has already been drawn.
Before businesses, suburbs and communities completely collapse and become ungovernable, this situation needs to be addressed immediately.
— DA KZN (@DA_KZN) June 10, 2021
The DA appeals to the people of Msunduzi to stand together and hold those responsible and accountable for this devastating situation.
