By More Matshediso
Pretoria - Ekurhuleni MMC for Health and Social Development, Makhosazana Maluleka, has on behalf of the metropolitan municipality received a memorandum of demands from Tembisa residents who embarked on a protest on Friday.
The residents have demanded that a school, clinic and library be built in Birch Acres.
Residents of the Sophiatown informal settlement, who formed part of the protest, also demanded electricity connections to their houses and flushing toilets.
Ekurhuleni Mayoral spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, said the residents’ demand for a school will be escalated to the provincial Department of Education.
"The municipality will respond to the community's demands within 14 days," said Dlamini.
He said the municipality was happy that the protest has been brought to a halt.
According to reports, 12 people were arrested for public violence during the protest in which residents burnt tyres and blocked roads with rocks.
“The community peacefully called off the protest, after we had an engagement with them. We are, however, still going to meet the leadership of the community," Dlamini said.
Next week the Gauteng provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will host a Provincial Ward Councillors’ Conference to understand the issues and challenges faced by ward councillors who have been overwhelmed with protracted and violent community protests.
Cooperative Governance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Gauteng Premier David Makhura are expected to attend the conference. - SAnews.gov.za
