By Obakeng Maje
Ganspan- An enraged community members embarked on a poor service delivery protest by taking their grievances to the streets in Ganspan, near Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape.

This is just one of the dramatic scenes at a service delivery protest that spiraled out of control, turning into a violent confrontation of rocks against rubber bullets and tear gas.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, residents of Ganspan, near Jan Kempdorp started their protest for a decent houses and water taps.

According to the community members, they have been staying in the shacks for more than 8 years and now they want government to heed to their call.

Police arrested more than 20 people mostly were bystanders while others were arrested in their shacks.

“Jan Kempdorp police are investigating a case of arson after protesters set the Ganspan Municipality building alight. The police are monitoring the situation closely in Ganspan” Lieutenant Andre Cloete said.

They marched to the streets, barricaded all roads with tree logs and burning tyres. Police arrived to disperse the protesters. What was already a tense situation went from bad to worse when police started firing rubber bullets and tear gas.

The mobile clinic, library and Municipal offices were burnt down.

“Police are harassing us as they entered house-to-house and arrest everyone even though they were not part of the march. They entered my shack and arrested my boyfriend, Tumelo Sithole with no proof” despondent Lydia Mejane said.

One of the residents was arrested by police while we were busy running interviews and police could not say how they link him to the march and was arrested nevertheless.

The Phokwane municipality spokesperson Kgalalelo Letshabo said Mayor Vuyisile Khan visited the area to inform the residents regarding the housing project issue.

Our crew tried t contact Phokwane Municipal Mayor Vuyisile Khan, but said he is till in the meeting addressing the masses. We tried to contact him afterwards, but our attempt was futile.

More than fifty people were arrested by police.
-TDN
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