Mondlo residents vow to continue protesting over load reduction until demands met

JOHANNESBURG - The situation remains tense in Mondlo, in the north of KwaZulu-Natal, as community members continue staging a protest over load reduction in the area.

Thursday marks day two of demonstrations, with angry residents damaging infrastructure as they act out on their frustrations.

The community is calling on the local municipality to end load reduction and disconnect illegal power connections.

In the last two days, community members in Mondlo have burnt rubble and blocked most of the area’s streets with stones.

But things took a turn for the worse when municipal infrastructure was damaged by the protestors, who also set a municipal building alight on Wednesday night.

While police have been deployed to the area, the situation has intensified to neighbouring communities, including Hlobane, also joined the action.

The cooperative governance department is set to visit the area on Friday.

Separtment spokesperson, Senzwele Mzila: "In response to the situation, MEC Buthelezi will visit the community on Friday, 12 September, accompanied by representatives from the Abaqulusi local municipality and Eskom. The purpose of the visit is to engage directly with community members and to listen to the issues they have raised."

Protesters have vowed to continue demonstrating until their demands are met.