Water shortages have again lead to violence in the North West Province.

Violence broke out after residents from a village near Zeerust marched to their local municipal headquarters to demand the delivery of water to their villages. Police say residents burnt down a tribal office and a ward councillor’s house on Friday evening.

The North West has been plagued by water shortages this year. Violent service delivery protests over water broke out in the Mothutlung earlier this year leading to the deaths of four community members.

North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the violence saying, “The destruction of private and public properties is not a solution to addressing whatever concerns the community might have. Our disappointment is that the violence occurred after attempts earlier in the day by my office to receive a memorandum from the community.”

Boitumelong protests

Meanwhile, protesters in Boitumelong disrupted schools and barricaded the N12 with burning tyres last week. The protesters were demanding the resignation of the mayor and some councillors, accusing them of nepotism and failing to deliver basic services.

During the protests six houses, a community hall and a further seven houses belonging to police officers were torched during protests in the area. At least 100 people were arrested.

Calm has been restored to the area and learners were able to return to school on Monday. “Regrettably the violence has cost much in terms of a life lost, destruction of private and public properties for which those behind the orchestrated violence should be held responsible,” Modise said.

Modise has announced a comprehensive report on the provincial intervention in the municipality that will investigate allegations of nepotism and irregular appointments and corruption related to installation of high mast lights and water metering contracts. This will be presented to residents in two weeks.

Zuma on service delivery protests

Responding to a parliamentary question on whether he had given personal attention to the service delivery protests and municipal revolt, President Jacob Zuma condemned violent protests. “Although the Constitution grants people the right to protest, this should be done within the ambit of the law, and in a peaceful manner,” he said.

Meanwhile the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (Eisa) has said that the real impact of service delivery protests on the 7 May elections is unclear.