Eastern Cape most protest-ridden province

The Eastern Cape is the most protest-ridden province so far this year according to Municipal IQ's Municipal Hotspots Monitor report.

Gauteng and the Eastern Cape were the most protest-ridden provinces this year, with the Eastern Cape just slightly ahead at the end of March,  Municipal IQ said on Thursday (03/04/14).

There have been 48 major service delivery protests against local government since January 1. Protests were occurring roughly every second day, it said in its report.

Municipal IQ is a web-based data and intelligence service specialising in monitoring and assessment of South Africa's 283 municipalities.

Managing director Kevin Allan said: "At the current annual rate, protests in 2014 may set a new record, but an apparent slow-down in March means that this is not a foregone conclusion."

Municipal IQ economist Karen Heese said in 2009 and 2011 protest activity fell immediately before and during elections.

"It is important that constructive engagement continues during election campaigns," she said.

Municipal IQ's hotspots monitor collated major protests staged against a municipality as recorded by the media or other public domain sources.

- SAPa