'Govt only hears when we toyi-toyi'
2010-03-03 11:50
André Damons and Sonja van Buul
Johannesburg - Even though South Africa has 11 official languages, toyi-toyi could be considered the 12th, since it's nearly as old as the country itself and everyone knows it, including the government.
This was said by a resident of Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, after the umpteenth service delivery protest there.
As usual, residents blocked the Golden Highway which runs through the area with burning tyres and rocks. From early on Tuesday morning they also threw stones at passing cars.
"This is the only language the government understands. We've been using it for a long time, and at one stage, they also spoke this language," a stone-throwing resident told Beeld.
Poor service delivery
According to him it is the only way they have to express their anger and frustration about poor service delivery.
"It's 100 days before World Cup 2010 and we're excited, but it's been 16 years of democracy and big promises from our leaders. Now they are driving around in expensive cars and live in luxury, but look at how we're living," the man said before he started singing and dancing along with the others.
The rioting started after Ruby Mathang, Johannesburg mayoral committee member for development planning and urban development, promised last week that contractors would start working in the township as early as Wednesday.
On Tuesday residents said he had just lied to them yet again, and they can't accept that.
They complained that the contractors only work in certain parts of the township and neglect other parts.
Demands 'reasonable'
Mathole Motshekga, ANC chief whip in Parliament, visited the township and other problem areas which were set aside for development but where no development has taken place.
He said the protesters' demands are reasonable and it is clear that very little development has taken place.
Service delivery protests also flared up in Evaton on Tuesday.
"Several shops were looted and the atmosphere in this area was extremely tense," said police spokesperson Kinnie Steyn.
Several small groups clashed with police members from time to time, and several small plumes of smoke rose from the area throughout the day.
On Tuesday afternoon, protesters started harassing motorists on Johan le Roux Road, the road between Meyerton and De Deur, and police intervened.
Residents of Sicelo were dissatisfied after the sheriff confiscated household effects from about five families who apparently owe service fees to the Midvaal municipality.