The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka will tomorrow, 20 January 2022 visit Nkandla to engage stakeholders and the community following days of violent protests over road infrastructure.
This week, schooling was disrupted in eNkandla with major roads going to the central business district being blocked. Properties, including mobile ambulances were set alight by angry community members. The protesters further threatened 13 mobile health workers. Other private vehicles were also set alight.
The protesters are mainly complaining about conditions of the roads in the area. This is despite the meeting which was attended by senior departmental officials last Sunday to share with them updates on all the roads in question.
MEC Hlomuka’s visit is aimed at finding lasting solutions and restoring normalcy and stability in the area.
The Department is attending to majority roads in eNkandla, including some major roads such as P16 which is linking Kranskop, eNkandla and eNquthu. This road is a multi-year project of more than 92 kilometres and is being constructed in phases. Other roads including P707, P706, P50, P90 and other local gravel roads.
Law enforcement operatives led by the South African Police Services (SAPS) are now deployed in the area of eNkandla to try and quell the situation and make sure that those who are responsible are brought to book.
Commenting on the on-going violence situation, MEC Hlomuka denounced violence and appealed for calm in the area of eNkandla.
“As part of interventions we are going to be engaging with various stakeholders and representatives of community leaders. We denounce violence in strongest terms and the disruption of property is not acceptable. This protest is impacting on the economy of eNkandla and other neighbouring towns. It is also affecting basic services such as the provision of health services. We cannot allow schooling to be disrupted and the future of our children to tampered with,” said Hlomuka.
Today, MEC Hlomuka was briefed by the Department on the plans to improve the road network in eNkandla and other parts of the King Cetshwayo District.
The Department also acknowledges that most provincial roads have reached their lifespan, some are affected by recent heavy rains and some are failing to cope with the increase in vehicle population and unprecedented increase of trucks.
The Department has developed a clear plan to address the road network in the province and is ready to engage with the community of eNkandla.
Inkandla strikes gets ugly as Mobile Clinic was set on fire https://t.co/5bGmQgiWue #ArriveAlive #Crime #Protests @kzngov @KZN_EMS_MEDIA pic.twitter.com/FYaG3ThzYI
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 19, 2023
