Service delivery protesters in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape have blockaded the R61 road that connects KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.
They have barricaded the road using tree stamps and this has affected traffic flow in the area.
The residents are demanding the fixing of the dilapidating R61 road, which was abandoned by a contractor three years ago.
They also complained about the road linking Redbout and Greenville hospital, saying the contractor that was appointed stopped working on it six years ago, citing non-payment.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipal Mayor Daniswa Mafumbatha says engagements with protestors have failed.
“They [protesters] have a concern regarding the R61 road. The road has a lot of potholes. We have also reported these concerns [to] all the spheres of government even at the provincial level they know that our R61 road is very bad.”
“The two roads that are going to Greenville Hospital had the same concern even before the national and provincial elections. We have taken their concern to the levels that are supposed to be taken, we are talking about your district and also your provincial,” explains Mafumbatha.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has urged eligible young people to make use of the voter registration weekend to register to vote for the upcoming local government elections.
Eligible voters can register or update their details.
Voting stations across the country will open for voter registration from 8am until 5pm on the weekend of September 18 and 19.
IEC announces the Local Government Elections programme:
