LIFE is slowly returning to normal in several Mpumalanga villages that have been hit by service delivery protests since the beginning of the week.
Residents of Mganduzeni, Mahushu, Jerusalem, Siwalala, Polar, Bhekiswayo, Majika and Dizenze villages in the Hazyview area took to the streets as from Sunday demanding water, electricity, decent roads and jobs for the youth.
The protests led to the death of a woman, who was knocked down by a truck that allegedly ploughed through a blockade, and the arrest of more than 100 protesters.
A counsellor's house was also torched during the protests.
The marchers had blocked the road between Hazyview and White River - leading to the closure of the Kruger National Park's Numbi Gate.
The gate is still closed.
Kruger National Park's spokesman William Mabasa said yesterday: "We cannot say when the Numbi Gate will be opened. We are still assessing the situation to make sure visitors to the park are safe."
Yesterday traffic flowed again on the road. Learners were also seen walking to various schools in the area.
About 10 police vehicles were seen parked outside the Masoyi police station while members of the police's tactical response unit (commonly known as Amaberet) were seen patrolling the main road that passes through the affected villages.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi said yesterday: "We are monitoring the situation despite signs that the protests are over. We are trying to make sure that people do not engage in criminal activities in the affected areas."
Some residents said water had been restored to some of the affected areas yesterday.
Some of the arrested protesters are expected to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate's Court on March 21 while others will appear the following day.
Calm restored after protests
LIFE is slowly returning to normal in several Mpumalanga villages that have been hit by service delivery protests since the beginning of the week.
Residents of Mganduzeni, Mahushu, Jerusalem, Siwalala, Polar, Bhekiswayo, Majika and Dizenze villages in the Hazyview area took to the streets as from Sunday demanding water, electricity, decent roads and jobs for the youth.
The protests led to the death of a woman, who was knocked down by a truck that allegedly ploughed through a blockade, and the arrest of more than 100 protesters.
A counsellor's house was also torched during the protests.
The marchers had blocked the road between Hazyview and White River - leading to the closure of the Kruger National Park's Numbi Gate.
The gate is still closed.
Kruger National Park's spokesman William Mabasa said yesterday: "We cannot say when the Numbi Gate will be opened. We are still assessing the situation to make sure visitors to the park are safe."
Yesterday traffic flowed again on the road. Learners were also seen walking to various schools in the area.
About 10 police vehicles were seen parked outside the Masoyi police station while members of the police's tactical response unit (commonly known as Amaberet) were seen patrolling the main road that passes through the affected villages.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi said yesterday: "We are monitoring the situation despite signs that the protests are over. We are trying to make sure that people do not engage in criminal activities in the affected areas."
Some residents said water had been restored to some of the affected areas yesterday.
Some of the arrested protesters are expected to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate's Court on March 21 while others will appear the following day.
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