Motorists using Govan Mbeki Drive, along Ramaphosa informal settlement, could be in for torrid drive if the City of Cape Town fails to address concerns raised by the community.
On Monday 22 August, motorists were severely affected when irate residents went on a rampage over the lack of services. They barricaded a section of the road with burning tyres, urging the City to immediately supply them with basic services including electricity. They have vowed to continue with their actions if nothing is done.
Community leader Babalwa Siswana said they’ve been engaging with the City officials for a while but their cries have fallen on deaf ears. She said an official from the office of the City’s Human Settlement approached them and urged them to stop the protest with a promise to respond to them before Friday 26 August.
“Our protest was peaceful. We didn’t vandalise the traffic lights or pelt vehicles with stones. We were just burning the tyres,” said Siswana, adding that the protest was just the beginning of more to come if the City failed to meet their deadline.
She said since 2019 they have been asking the City to install the electricity in the area. “There’s a high crime rate in the area because it’s too dark at night. Some people end up illegally connecting the electricity which is dangerous,” said Siswana.
The City’s mayco member for energy Beverley van Reenen said the City regularly engages with the community through councillors and Sub-council meetings.
“The informal settlement is located on private land and the City does not have approval from the land owner to provide services on this land parcel. Without this permission the City cannot start an electrification planning process,” said Van Reenen.