The EThekwini Municipality has condemned the vandalism and destruction of City property that occurred during a service delivery protest at uMgeni Road on Monday, 31 August 2015.
Approximately 400 Ridge View transit camp protesters blockaded the road, vandalised and burnt Municipal vehicles.
The irate protester’s demands are linked to a fire which occurred last year, and affected more than 700 dwellings. The protesters had no written memorandum.
They demanded that they be moved from the interim shelters they are currently occupying, that government houses be built for them, or that eThekwini Municipality allow them to erect shacks.
Municipal officials, Durban Metro Police and members of the South African Police Service attended to the matter, ensuring that it did not turn violent. However, after the protest, a group of protesters attacked and burnt a Municipal vehicle that had been on its way back to a local depot.
The driver of the vehicle managed to drive into a nearby Municipal building where the fire was extinguished by fire fighters. He was not injured.
The Mayor vehemently condemned the vandalism of Municipal property and other Municipal assets. He urged residents to table their concerns through appropriate channels so that they can be addressed amicably without resorting to violence.
EThekwini Municipality is working with Provincial Department of Human Settlements to supply affected families with materials to rebuild their dwellings. The material will be distributed as soon as the rightful recipients have been verified. The local committee is verifying names of people affected by the fire.
