By Staff Reporter
RELELA VILLAGE – Tensions flared in Relela Village on Thursday, 11 September 2025, as a service delivery protest turned violent, leaving three people injured after police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Residents took to the streets early in the morning, barricading roads with stones and burning tyres. Their main demand was for the ward councillor to step down, citing allegations of poor service delivery and failure to address community needs.
According to eyewitnesses, the situation escalated when police attempted to clear the roads. Protesters resisted, leading to clashes that ended with three people injured by rubber bullets. Paramedics treated the injured on-site before transferring them to a nearby health facility.
Community members expressed frustration, saying their repeated pleas for better services, including water, roads, and sanitation, have been ignored for too long.
The Greater Tzaneen Municipality sent a representative to engage with the community; however, residents insisted they want to be addressed directly by the mayor.
Police have since been deployed to the area to monitor the situation and maintain order.
Authorities have urged residents to engage through peaceful and lawful channels while efforts are made to address their grievances.
