- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Protests erupt in townships
- Date: 23rd July 2009
- Summary: BALFOUR, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 22, 2009) (REUTERS) HOUSES IN SIYATHEMBA TOWNSHIP STONES ON STREET, PEOPLE WALKING MORE HOUSES IN SIYATHEMBA TOWNSHIP (SOUNDBITE) (English) SIYATHOKOZA RESIDENT DAVID, SAYING: "Twenty years, it's been happening around here. There is no development. You can see yourself. You can see with your naked eyes. There is no development around here. There is no entertainment. There is no youth development. There is no facilities. There is no job creation." PEOPLE GATHERING FOR PROTEST (SOUNDBITE) (English) SIYATHOKOZA RESIDENT DAVID, SAYING: "No, the government is willing to help, it's just that the people who are being deployed down there at the grassroots level, maybe they don't understand how to go about management. They're not even capacitated (sic, capable), actually, in terms of the running of the country in the local level. So, that's where we find our problems lying." (SOUNDBITE) (Zulu) SIYATHEMBA RESIDENT LYDIA NKONYANE, SAYING: "There are many problems here in the township. We've got a lot of grievances. Our children are educated, yet they are unemployed. You understand? They are sitting at home." MORE OF PEOPLE GATHERING FOR PROTEST VARIOUS OF POLICEMEN AND POLICE VEHICLES AT SCENE TRACTOR CLEARING UP STONES PLACED ON STREETS DURING PROTESTS MORE OF PROTEST GATHERING
- Embargoed: 7th August 2009 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
- Reuters ID: LVAAWGR3DJC4FT45T0SPDB15QAVJ
- Story Text: Violent protests are spreading across South Africa's townships as pressure mounts on President Jacob Zuma to deliver on government promises of help for the poor.
Protesters pelted cars with stones and blocked a highway near Johannesburg on Wednesday (July 22) in the worst disturbances since Zuma took office, intensifying uncertainty after a wave of strikes and threats of industrial action in Africa's biggest economy.
In the north-eastern region of Mpumalanga, residents in Balfour threatened to burn down municipal offices if 100 people arrested in protests on Tuesday were not released.
Residents complain they have not seen the benefits since white minority rule ended 15 years ago. Zuma pledged to do more to help them as the main plank of the election manifesto of the ruling African National Congress.
Residents said they were tired of local councillors who, instead of working for the community, are enriching themselves. The delivery of service and unemployment were highlighted as the biggest concern of the residents.
"No, the government is willing to help, it's just that the people who are being deployed down there at the grassroots level, maybe they don't understand how to go about management. They're not even capacitated (sic, capable), actually, in terms of the running of the country in the local level. So, that's where we find our problems lying," said David, a resident of Siyathokoza township in Balfour.
"There are many problems here in the township. We've got a lot of grievances. Our children are educated, yet they are unemployed. You understand? They are sitting at home," added another resident, Lydia Nkonyane.
Community officials were expected to address the community later on Wednesday to reassure them that something will be done about their grievance.
Residents have warned that they will proceed with the protests if their demands are not met. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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