Bushbuckridge Protest- Residents of Dwarsloop in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, have taken drastic measures to highlight their frustration with the Bushbuckridge Municipality (BLM) over poor service delivery, dumping weeks’ worth of uncollected refuse in front of the local municipal office.
The Bushbuckridge protest was sparked by the municipality’s failure to collect rubbish for nearly two months, with residents claiming they had no other option but to take matters into their own hands. This incident is just another example of the ongoing challenges faced by residents of Dwarsloop, where service delivery has been a major concern for over two decades.
Bushbuckridge Protest, Community Frustration
According to Afrika Mayibuye Movement’s regional chairperson, Trevor Nkosi, the community has been complaining about the lack of refuse removal, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. “The only language that the government listens to is a protest,” Nkosi said, highlighting the desperation of the community.
The Bushbuckridge protest also highlights the issue of water services, with Nkosi adding that the community has been without water for weeks. However, after the protest action, water started flowing from the taps, leading Nkosi to claim that the municipality had been withholding water from the community.
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BLM) spokesperson Fhumulani Thovhakale attributed the refuse collection problems to a compactor truck involved in an accident on December 26 last year. Thovhakale said that the community was informed about the breakdown and that alternative arrangements had been made to collect the rubbish.
The protest highlights the ongoing challenges faced by residents of Dwarsloop and the need for improved service delivery. Studies have shown that the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality lacks mechanisms to enhance water service delivery, with problems including lack of municipal budget, public participation, and skilled officials.
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