The focus of this paper is a particular set of actions which have become broadly
known as ‘service delivery’ protests. It considers various protest datasets currently
being used to inform understandings of ‘service delivery’ protest action. The
limitations of each of these databases are highlighted and discussed in order to
stimulate thinking about the possible development of independent, critical and
accessible sources of protest data. Recommendations are made as to the improvement
of quantitative data sources on protest action. The paper argues that ‘service
delivery’ is a complex phenomenon which requires further critical examination as
well as rigorous and co-ordinated data-collection initiatives. It concludes that the
development of comprehensive, informed and reliable data sources can support
improved critical reflections on the meanings and consequences of ‘service delivery’
protest for purposes of transformation and development at community-level.