The planned Kimberley Shutdown for Monday, 14 July, is still taking place. This was confirmed late on Sunday afternoon.
Boyce Makodi of the Kimberley Action Group states on its Facebook page that a fake letter with the group’s letterhead and details is circulating on social media that the shutdown has been called off.
“The letter is fake and its contents are not true. The shutdown is still taking place tomorrow,” Makodi states. At 16:52, on video, Makodi says “nothing is being cancelled or called off”.
The Kimberley Shutdown follows the lack of intervention and response from local and provincial government authorities on grievances previously submitted, including the outcry on the “level of corruption prevalent at the Sol Plaatje Municipality”.
On a poster of the Kimberley Action Group, grievances are listed as incompetence, corruption, poor service delivery, unaffordable tariffs, failure to formalise informal settlements, unilateral decision-making, nepotism, overlooking locals when opportunities arise, and failure to deal with the unemployment disaster.
The immediate removal of the Speaker of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Dipuo Peters, is also on the list, as well as the demand to dissolve the council, and the removal of executives, including the municipal manager and directors. Peters, as well as Martha Bartlett as new executive mayor, were elected during a “chaotic council meeting” in December last year.
In a previous post on Kimberley Action Group’s Facebook page, it is said, “We live in conditions that no human being should be forced to accept. Poverty has become our daily companion. Sewage runs in our streets like it owns this town. The water is filthy. Jobs are nowhere to be found. And yet, we are expected to pay for exorbitant basic municipal services as if we live in luxury?
“This is not governance, it’s a slow and deliberate death sentence for the people of Kimberley. The system you defend is broken beyond repair. It’s dysfunctional, cruel, and disconnected from the reality on the ground. You sit in your offices while the town collapses around us.”
On Sunday at 15:00, a community meeting on logistics of the shutdown took place at the Galeshewe Circle in Kimberley, which was facilitated by Makodi, Herbert Muller, and Vincent Quest of the Kimberley Action Group.
It is said the general sentiment of the community is that the shutdown is viable and the only resolution to seek attention from government. Community members were asked to assemble from 04:00 on Monday at their respective assembly points.
‘Distortion of facts’
In response to the shutdown, the acting executive mayor of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Councillor Isaac Ruiters, stated there is a “deliberate distortion of facts surrounding the 2023 sanction imposed by Parliament on Speaker Councillor Dipuo Peters, and her suspension by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March 2024”.
Read the full response below:
Concerns for exploitation
In a statement the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci) says there are concerns that criminals or rogue elements might exploit the shutdown to loot or cause chaos.
Nocci is also concerned that social media platforms will be utilised by individuals to spread false information or videos that could incite panic or violence.
“Sensationalisation of the said shutdown by social or any other form of media could lead to the manifestation and escalation of protest activities within the greater Sol Plaatje Municipal Area,” Nocci says.
On Friday, 11 July, Sharon Steyn, CEO of Nocci, says in a statement that Nocci does not support the shutdown.
“Nocci’s stance is that if the planned peaceful march turns out otherwise and any businesses or property are damaged during or after the march that the event coordinators being Kimberley Action Group will be held responsible.
“As stated before Nocci agrees with certain demands and unhappiness that the Kimberley Action Group has with the Sol Plaatje Municipality. However, this is not the business or ratepayers’ problem, the problem is with the Sol Plaatje Municipality,” Steyn says.
Indicated road closures
On Sunday evening information provided indicates these specific road closures for the shutdown:
• R31 at the traffic circle intersecting the N8
• intersection of Barkly Road and Tyson Street
• N8 at the Greenpoint access road
• access roads to Greenpoint from Beaconsfield
• corner of McDougal and Oliver Road at the Diamond Pavilion Mall
• Nobengula Road, where it joins N8 (close to the prison)
• fourways Ipeleng
• fourways John Daka
• intersection of Barkly and Midlands Road at Homelite
• intersection of Seleke and Barkly Road
‘Fully prepared, on high alert’
In a statement on Sunday evening, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape says it is fully prepared and on high alert to ensure law and order during the planned service delivery shutdown scheduled for 14 July.
“Law enforcement authorities appeal to all participants and residents to act within the confines of the law to safeguard the safety and security of all community members. Unlawful conduct, including damage to property or harm to individuals, will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate action. All necessary resources have been mobilised and deployed to monitor protest activities and to maintain public order throughout the course of the shutdown,” Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, police spokesperson, states.
It was also emphasised that the SAPS will not allow lawlessness and acts of criminality, and those who are found on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with accordingly.
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