Police in Pampierstad are investigating a case of public violence following a service delivery protest.

Roads in the town, 12 km west of Hartswater in the Northern Cape, have been opened for traffic after a two-day protest by local and long-distance taxis.

The protest was fuelled by frustration over a R15 million project to install stormwater drainage, speed bumps, as well as upgrading roads and traffic control markings.

Local and long-distance taxis closed the road. Photo supplied

“We are investigating a case of public violence following the service delivery protest on Monday (16/9) and Tuesday (17/9) in Pampierstad,” said Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergio Kock. “No arrests have been effected as yet and all roads have been opened for traffic. We are currently monitoring the situation in Pampierstad and the situation is stable.”

No incidents of looting were reported to SAPS, he said.

The taxi association in Pampierstad was the one leading the protest. Roads were barricaded, preventing entrance to and exit from the town. “This protest came after numerous meetings by the taxi association with the municipality and community forums,” said Phokwane Service Delivery Forum (PSDF) party leader, Castro Setlhogomi.

“The major plea was the condition of the roads in Pampierstad where the taxi association believed that most commuters were utilising the roads and they were in a terrible state. Community members also joined the protest to demand basic services such as water, sanitation, recreational facilities, and general services by the municipality.”

“The Frances Baard municipality met with the community on Tuesday (17/9) and a conclusion was reached. The municipality promised a rapid response to all the issues raised by the community. On Wednesday (18/9), we witnessed the patching and gravelling of the road had begun, the protest had been halted on condition that these services continue,” he said.

During the R15 million project, storm water structures were meant to be designed and constructed to alleviate the storm water drainage challenges along Kolong Street, and also included excavation and stone pitching of open drains.

The planned upgrading of the 1.2 km gravel road to a paved surface, also included kerbing and stormwater intakes, road signs, traffic control markings, traffic calming structures, for example, speed humps, and road construction and commissioning.

“What surprised us is that the municipality can’t be a reactionary municipality where they react only when the community protests. We are of the opinion that services must be ongoing, especially essential ones such as provision of water and sanitation,” said Setlhogomi.

“These services can’t be halted and waited upon the community to protest and the municipality then reacts because of protests.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg