MARESELENG – As part of sanitation week programme the MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs in Limpopo, Mr Ishmael Kgetjepe, presented 4 100 toilets to residents of this village and Mashamothane.
The ceremony was held at the Mareseleng sport grounds last Wednesday and was attendant by the Sekhukhune District Municipality’s executive mayor, Cllr Mogobo David Magabe, Greater Tubatse Municipality’s mayor Cllr Nkosi Josias Mahlake, Mashifane tribal authority representatives, local councillors and members of the community.
The MEC said, “In our province, over 250 000 low-cost houses have been built, 86% of households have access to potable water, 87% to electricity, 38% to sanitation and 22% to refuse removal.
When the residents were given a chance to voice their concerns, most stressed that the area of Mareseleng needed to be electrified, and they were not interested in the toilets handed to them. They even threatened not to vote in next year’s general elections.
“For 14 years we have been promised electricity by the municipality and our local councillors, and we are still waiting. Our village won’t be voting if we don’t get electricity,” said community member Mr Wilson Mashilwane.
They also demanded schools, water and proper roads in the area, “Next time you come here, just ensure we have basic the needs, or we will chase you away and vote for the opposition parties.” In responding to the community’s concerns GTM’s mayor Mahlake told the crowd that 19 villages would be electrified. “Operation Mabone is there to help the locals; we have approved R230 million which will ensure that most communities in Tubatse get electricity and 38 000 housing units will be build before the end of the financial year”
The community also threatened that if Mahlake and Magabe didn’t provide them with services, they would be recalled.
