Durban — Hostel dwellers and minibus taxi operators clashed in uMlazi, south of Durban, leading to the closure of a shopping mall and some roads on Tuesday.
The violence broke out on Monday when hostel dwellers blocked the main road, Mangosuthu Highway. The dwellers were protesting over service delivery issues. One of the protesters, who wished to remain anonymous, said most of eThekwini ward 87, including the hostel, had not had electricity for two months.
Dwellers blocked exits and entrances, bringing traffic to a standstill. After the blocking of Mangosuthu Highway, the direct route between the township and the Durban CBD, taxi operators intervened to have the road opened.
It is alleged that taxis passing through were stoned on Monday night. This angered dwellers, who shifted their focus to the taxis and prevented all taxis from passing by. It is alleged that gunshots were fired during the alleged altercation between taxi operators and dwellers.
This followed a tense stand-off between taxi operators who are opposed to the blockade of Mangosuthu Highway and 17 hostel dwellers.
On Tuesday morning, management of KwaMnyandu Mall in uMlazi closed its doors. The mall gates were all closed and were manned by armed security guards. A contingency of Durban metro police and SAPS Public Order Police officers converged on the area.
One guard, who asked not to be named, said they were ordered to close all the gates for fear of looting.
Minibus taxi operator spokesperson Mandla Duma said they had to intervene after their drivers informed them that taxis were stoned early on Tuesday.
Duma said as much as they understood the protesters’ concerns, the lives of commuters were just as important.
“We want to appeal to the protesters to stop violence against motorists and direct their anger at the municipality. As much as we understand their problems of not having electricity for many days, that did not mean that people should be prevented from going to work. Electricity issues are affecting everyone in the country for now, but life must go on,” said Duma.
He assured commuters that with the assistance of they police they would ensure that no traffic disruptions would take place on Tuesday afternoon.
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the electricity issue in the area was caused by overburdening of a transformer by illegal connections, which was causing constant tripping. Mayisela said the municipality was working to restore electricity, but urged the residents to stop violence and also pay for services.
The police have not responded at the time of the publishing.
Daily News