cities

Figure 4.11: Protests in metros 2012–2014
45%
10%
4%
3%
1% 1%
14%
14%
8%
eThekwini
Cape Town
Tshwane
Johannesburg
Ekurhuleni
Mangaung
Nelson Mandela Bay
Buffalo City
Non-metros
Source: Powell et al. (2015)
The number of violent protests reached a record high in 2014, when almost 80% of protests involved
violence by participants or the authorities, compared to less than half in 2007 (Powell et al., 2015).
The grievances behind the protests were grouped into six categories (Figure 4.12).
Figure 4.12: Protest issues
4
9%
12%
12%
11%
7%
45%
Municipal services
Municipal governance
Non-municipal services
Party political
Socio economic
Unspecified
Source: Powell et al. (2015)
More than half (52%) of the protests were related directly to municipal services or municipal (mal)
administration, indicating high levels of dissatisfaction in urban spaces. It may be the case that protest
issues relate to dissatisfaction with broader governance and/or service provision or demands for
access to services that do not necessarily fall within the realm of municipal responsibility. However,
because protests happen at the local level, and municipalities are considered the sphere of government
closest to the people, demands are often targeted at them.
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