'We were told this will be a suburb but it's just a dusty village'

The community of Mataffin village in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, went on a rampage on Thursday attacking public order police and demanding pavements, proper roads and jobs from their municipal leaders. 

The community, which is situated near the R1.2bn 2010 Fifa World Cup stadium in Mbombela, says they have had enough of being fed empty promises by the City of Mbombela local municipality. 

They barricaded roads with burning tyres, tree branches and rubble, forcing children out of the only two schools in the village. Pupils from Cyril Clarke High School and John Mdluli Primary School had to return home on Thursday and some joined the protest. Workers were not able to go to work. 

“When the stadium was built towards 2010, we were told that this place will be a suburb but it's just a dusty village with no proper roads and it's dark as they tried to erect street lights which are not complete even now. We cannot complain much with water because we only have water tankers but no running water from taps but we want proper roads and lights for now. 

“Other areas here don't have electricity and they are planning to build a shoddy pavement. They don't want to employ us. If they continue doing that we will not stop until we see people from our area employed. They know we don't have jobs and all our energy will go to this protest every day,” said resident Sfiso Nkosi. 

Children, who were seen picketing with the youth from the community, said they have no choice because they fear the youth.

At some schools, protesters were helping themselves to beans and pap which were prepared for the pupils who did not pitch for school.

Police tried to disperse the protesters but seemed to be under a lot of pressure as they retreated to their vehicles. A vehicle was stoned. 

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said no-one has been arrested and they were monitoring the situation. 

“Our officers are on the scene trying to calm the situation...We are trying to be almost everywhere. No-one has been arrested yet but we are warning the community to talk to their political leaders on matters of this nature rather than disturbing the [general] public, which is crime on its own,” said Mohlala. 

Attempts to speak to the municipality proved fruitless as spokesperson Joseph Ngala could not be reached for comment and also failed to answer text messages sent to him.