WATCH: BIG GA-RANKUWA SHUTDOWN!

Residents plan peaceful strike over poor service delivery

The Ga-Rankuwa Mail Reporter
Bruised Ga-Rankuwa residents, frustrated by years of poor service delivery, angry residents have announced plans to embark on a peaceful but firm strike on Monday, 18 March 2025, vowing to close all roads leading in and out of the township until their voices are heard by Tshwane Municipal authorities, even the Provincial Government.

The community-led protest, organised by a coalition of local civic organisations, youth forums, and concerned residents, is expected to bring the area to a complete standstill.

Key routes such as the main entrance of George Mukhari Hospital, De Wildt route, Jelous Down, Leah Mangope route, and many other strategic exits will be blockaded with human chains, placards, and possibly burning tyres as a last resort — although organisers stress the protest will remain non-violent and orderly.

“We’ve been patient for too long. Potholes, inconsistent water supply, broken streetlights, and overflowing sewage have become part of our daily lives. Enough is enough,” said one member of the “Ga-Rankuwa Community Leadership”.

Key Demands from the Community:

• Reliable water supply and urgent upgrades to aging infrastructure.
• Fixing street lighting, especially in high-crime areas.
• Accountability and visibility from ward councilors and the Tshwane Municipality.

According to residents, numerous petitions and community meetings have been ignored, leaving them no choice but to resort to civil action.

Local schools and businesses have been cautioned to prepare for disruptions, with some residents calling on taxi associations and shop owners to stand in solidarity with the movement.

In a formal statement from the organisers addressed to the community on 29 July 2025, said: “We write to inform you of the outcomes of our most recent leadership meeting held on 28 July 2025 at YMCA, Ga-Rankuwa.”

Among grievances are that the “same unresolved issues raised since 2016 continue to affect our community”.

“These include lack of housing development, poor infrastructure, insufficient youth employment initiatives, failing healthcare services, and unreliable waste collection,” read the statement.

Among agreements from the YMCA gathering, which affects “all zonal committees and sector leaders within Ga-Rankuwa, Management of Rosslyn Industrial Park”, it was confirmed that the shutdown will commence at 00h00 on 18 August 2025.

“During this time, no person or vehicle will be allowed to enter or exit Ga-Rankuwa until the Municipality, Gauteng Province, and National Government arrive on the ground… provide clear solutions and binding timelines to address our community’s long-standing challenges. Your involvement is essential. This shutdown is for the future of Ga-Rankuwa—our homes, our children, and our dignity,” vows the community leaders.

This is not just about one ward or one issue — “it’s about the dignity of our people,” they said, “we’re tired of empty promises.”

Protest to start midnight until residents get response!

It is unclear if the emergency services have been notified of the planned strike, and if law enforcement agencies are expected to monitor the situation closely to ensure it does not turn violent.

Unfortunately, the City of Tshwane officials could not be located for comment and a comprehensive response to counter the planned action against the service backlog in Ga-Rankuwa and other under-serviced regions.

However, protest leaders insist that peaceful disruption is the only language the municipality understands.

As they said in a statement, the strike is expected to begin at 00h00 and continue throughout the day, or until a high-level municipal delegation agrees to meet with community representatives on-site.

It is also unclear what will happen if the municipality, provincial, or national government ignores their demands, but in most cases, such strikes intensify until progress is visible on the ground.

Residents are urged to remain peaceful and those not interested must be vigilant.

The Ga-Rankuwa Mail will continue to monitor the developments and provide live updates as the story develops.