The Rustenburg Local Municipality’s ambitions to improve service delivery faced a serious setback on Friday, as local officials were forced to retreat from an informal settlement near Zinniaville following violent protests from residents. The community’s anger manifested in stone-throwing and the arson of a municipal vehicle, abruptly halting the ‘City at Work’ programme aimed at curbing energy losses and protecting vital infrastructure.
Leading the operation was Karabo Phutu, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for the Directorate of Technical and Infrastructure Services. The municipality has been concentrating its efforts within wards 43 and 13, which include Zinniaville, Karlien Park, and Rustenburg North (Noord), with operations planned to extend over the next two weeks. However, the violence on Friday shifted the municipality’s focus entirely, as they prioritised the safety of their officials amidst escalating tensions.
Odirile Madiba, the municipality’s spokesperson, explained the impetus behind their presence in the area. “Our teams went into one of the informal settlements just behind Karlien Park to address huge issues of illegal connections to our infrastructure, specifically regarding water, electricity, and sewage,” she said. However, as they approached, they were met with hostility from community members who reacted violently to plans of disconnection.
The spokesperson lamented the unfortunate turn of events. “As we were approaching the informal settlement, we received resistance from the residents, and they started throwing stones at municipal officials and vehicles. One municipal vehicle was burnt down,” she said.
Despite this violent backlash, Madiba reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to restore operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. She highlighted that the ‘City at Work’ programme is not merely about disconnections; it aims to enforce lawfulness and ensure that municipal resources are used effectively for the benefit of paying residents.
“Today’s events, while unfortunate, will not deter us. Lawlessness will not be tolerated, and we will return to the area to disconnect all illegal connections,” said Madiba, illustrating the municipality’s determination to uphold its initiatives for a “visible people-centred governance model.”
Yet, the sentiments on the ground tell a different story. Residents voiced grievances over what they perceived as an ambush by the municipality, alleging a lack of adequate communication regarding intentions to cut off vital water and power supplies.
The clash highlights a growing disconnect between local authorities and the communities they serve, raising questions about effective communication strategies and community engagement.
