NGCOBO, EASTERN CAPE — The Ngcobo protests have intensified on their third day, driven by widespread community demands for the Dr AB Xuma municipal manager resignation. As civic unrest grips the Eastern Cape town, residents remain steadfast in their call for the removal of Municipal Manager Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, paralyzing local commerce and prompting a heavy law enforcement response.
Demonstrations, which initially began on Tuesday, have resulted in significant infrastructural disruptions. While some access roads into the municipality have reopened, the critical R61 highway remains closed. A stationary truck has blocked the major route since Tuesday night at approximately 8:00 p.m. According to the vehicle’s driver, community members confiscated his keys, instructing him to leave the truck parked as a barricade until their grievances are fully addressed.
The situation turned volatile on Wednesday following the deployment of additional South African Police Service (SAPS) personnel from across the province. Clashes between law enforcement and protesters escalated, resulting in police using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. By Thursday morning, a heavy police presence remained, with officers actively cautioning residents against blocking vehicular traffic.
The ongoing shutdown has brought the local economy to a complete standstill. Essential government services, including Home Affairs and local courts, have been suspended, leaving only the SAPS offices operational. Despite the severe economic strain, community representative noted that local business owners fully support the movement and are willing to “tighten their belts” to achieve their ultimate goal.
Addressing the root of the unrest, he alleged that the municipality serves as a “food basket for provincial politicians,” suggesting that regional leadership is protecting Mulaudzi to safeguard their own interests. Residents claim to have submitted credible evidence of wrongdoing to both the police and the Hawks. While the local mayor reportedly stated he could not suspend Mulaudzi without official documentation of criminal charges, protesters insist the manager is already facing criminal allegations and that the necessary paperwork is simply being withheld.
Hopes for a swift resolution were dashed during a Wednesday visit by the MEC. Community leaders expressed deep disappointment with the intervention, stating the official spoke for less than two minutes and began his address by labeling the “people of Ngcobo a problem.” Protesters felt the visit was aimed at protecting the embattled manager rather than solving the crisis.
Meanwhile, Mulaudzi reportedly remains in office, continuing his daily administrative duties as if the massive civic shutdown is not occurring. With the local standoff continuing, the issue has now reached a national level. Grievances from the Ngcobo community have been tabled in Parliament, sparking hopes that a formal debate will compel national law enforcement agencies to intervene and break the ongoing municipal deadlock.
