Last week, residents of Lucingweni locality in Bizana took to the streets in protest along the R61 between Wild Coast and Seaview petrol stations. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to a myriad of grievances plaguing the community, including issues with access to basic services and infrastructure.
According to protestors, their primary objective was to engage with the mayor to address their concerns. However, they were met with disappointment as the mayor was reportedly unavailable.
“We ended up going up to the mayor’s offices, but unfortunately, she wasn’t around, so we left a message with her staff requesting a meeting on Tuesday morning at 10 am, but she did not show up,” lamented one community member.
Among the community’s grievances are the lack of running water, poor condition of access roads, and a community bridge prone to flooding during heavy rains, causing disruptions to local businesses, schools, and traffic flow. “We have taps, but the municipality only opens water if there is rain two times a week,” explained Wendy Simamane, a resident. She further highlighted the impact on learners attending local schools such as Ebenezer, Thuba, Marina, and Vulindlela Com Tech.
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Expressing frustration, Simamane emphasized the community’s desire for the mayor to visit and witness firsthand the challenges they face. However, there is a prevailing sentiment that the Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality is not adequately responsive to their concerns, leaving residents feeling unheard and neglected. As the community continues to push for accountability and action, their voices grow louder in the call for meaningful change.
