All they wanted was service delivery, but when they visited Thulamela Municipality's offices, they were threatened with arrest.

The incident happened on Tuesday when staff from the local KFC restaurant in Thohoyandou reported a leaking sewage outlet on their doorstep, which was keeping their customers away. Staff members at the restaurant said they arrived early that morning to find sewage spilling past the front of their shop.

"The smell was unbearable and all who passed there closed their noses to keep the bad stench away. We decided to phone the local municipality, which is just a stone's throw from the shop," said a staff member. He said they were promised help but they waited a long time without any help coming. He said they phoned seven times and it was getting late. Most of their customers were complaining, while many just turned away at the door.

“After receiving many empty promises, we decided to go to the offices personally to ask officials to help us. By then we had lost a lot of business and we feared that if inspectors came while the situation  persisted, we risked having our shop closed,” he added.

He said that on their arrival at the municipal offices they were referred to a certain man, who turned out to be uncooperative. "The guy was very negative and hostile. He did not even want to talk to us. He threatened us with the police as he said we were disturbing him. All we wanted was service and nothing else.  We expected him to help us and not to threaten us with arrest,” he added.

After not getting help from the municipality, the KFC staff went back to their store and just watched helplessly while their customers turned away. They then took brooms and mops and cleaned up in front of the shop.

During this paper's visit to the shop, workers from the municipality in orange work suits were seen seated next to the store. Sewage was still spilling down the road like a river. It also disturbed several hawkers who usually ply their trade on the street.

Thulamela municipality spokesperson Mr Nndwamato Tshiila said the municipality was doing its best to bring service to the people. He said people had the right to approach the municipality if they felt that they were not being treated well. “As a municipality, we have an open-door policy and we even welcome criticism. If they feel their concern was not handled properly, they should feel free to visit our offices, where they can speak to senior officials," said Tshiila.