THEMBISILE HANI — Hundreds of residents from across Thembisile Hani marched to the municipal offices on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, protesting ongoing service delivery failures and demanding urgent intervention, particularly on healthcare, water supply and emergency services.

The peaceful march, led by the Service Delivery Party, brought together community members from multiple wards who submitted a memorandum of demands to municipal leadership.

Protesters said they are no longer willing to endure what they described as years of neglect, broken promises and ineffective governance. Central to the memorandum were concerns about healthcare and emergency services affecting more than 431,000 residents.

“Thembisile Hani is currently served by only one level-2 hospital that lacks a functional ICU, while just four ambulances are expected to serve 32 wards. This chronic shortage has resulted in dangerously slow emergency response times and severely overburdened clinic staff,” the Service Delivery Party said.

The party called for urgent intervention, including the construction of a fully functional hospital and improved emergency services.

Water supply issues were also raised, with residents reporting that some areas receive water only once a week.

“This situation represents a direct violation of residents’ right to access clean, reliable and safe drinking water,” the memorandum stated.

The memorandum further called for “an urgent and transparent intervention plan” and stricter implementation of Operation Vula/Vala.

Residents also raised concerns about crime, unemployment and drug abuse.

“With unemployment estimated at 48%, young people are increasingly being pushed into despair, drug abuse and criminal activity,” the memorandum stated.

Executive Mayor Leseja Dikgale received the memorandum and acknowledged the concerns raised.

“The march saw members of the Service Delivery Party exercising their democratic right to raise matters affecting communities within the municipality,” Dikgale said.

He welcomed the peaceful nature of the protest and said the municipality would respond formally.

“The concerns raised in the memorandum are taken seriously and will receive the necessary attention,” he said.

Dikgale said the municipality would provide a formal response within 14 working days.

Residents say they will continue to hold the municipality accountable as they await feedback on their demands.