Pictures: Middelburg strikes after municipality hikes rates by 250%
The people of Middelburg have decided they cannot take it anymore and have gone to streets to protest against the Mayor. This comes after the municipality increased rates by 250% from R800 to about R2000. The community asked the municipality to reassess their hikes but unfortunately the Mayor did not listen to their cries.
In response the people of Middelburg took to the streets and destroyed some property so as to get to the town leaders. Pictures of the strike are all over the internet. Some are choosing to call it unrest. This means they are assuming the looting and unrest is still ongoing in the country.
Others prefer to call it terrorism. They also believe the authorities should deal with those that destroy property. Most members of the public blame the government for poor service delivery. The ANC faces most criticism after this incident. Residents of Middelburg explain where the people are coming from looking at the fact that the lockdowns negatively affected the incomes of many families in South Africa. So hiking rates is not a good idea at the moment because people do not have the money.
The various comments and responses from the public explain the case pretty well. Here are some of their contributions:
“The municipality increased Rate from R800 to about R2000+. The community nicely asked the municipality to reconsider but our Mayor refused. then decide to take it to the streets.”
“I empathize with them..Broken municipalities, abusing their means to collect revenue, disregarding public hearings or reasonable means to deal with complaints..Where is Human Rights Commission when municipalities are disregarding human rights to reasoable rendering of services?”
“These are not Unrests but TERRORISM!”
“Increase the rates so they in council have more cash to loot. What the civilians are doing may not be right but frustration leads to this destruction.”
Pictures: Middelburg strikes after municipality hikes rates by 250%
“Insurrection or sabotage, which one?”
“This municipality is rated number 1 in Africa, the service delivery is/was impeccable and has always had clean audits all this years, people’s choices are justified to put faith in such municipality until now of coz hence the unrest.”
“I think violence gives government an excuse to treat people like criminals. People must go with flowers and a smile and demand change, and refuse to be agitated. They will just water-cannon the poor people 🙁 Peaceful demonstration is more effective and intimidating.”
From the comments from South Africans it can be deduced that members of the public do not trust the government anymore. All allegations are towards the government looting from people. At the end of it all violence is not the best solution if people are hurt or property destroyed.
Pictures: Middelburg strikes after municipality hikes rates by 250%