Lack of services forces locals to go on rampage
“Since 2011 we were negotiating with the authorities to erect roads here, it has been promises and nothing has materialized. We are fed-up now, and we want to be addressed by the MEC for roads and transport Ms Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana," said one resident.
STEELPOORT- Residents of the villages of Tukakgomo, Ga Phasha, Malekane, Longtill and Mahlakwena went on the rampage, barricading roads, setting cars alight and throwing passing cars with stones, in demand of tarred roads to be built in their area and the revamp of the older ones.
Protesters accused the Limpopo Department of Roads and Transport and the local municipality (Greater Tubatse Municipality) of ignoring their pleas for new road infrastructure.
“Since 2011 we were negotiating with the authorities to erect roads here, it has been promises and nothing has materialised. We are fed-up now, and we want to be addressed by the MEC for roads and transport Ms Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana,” said one resident. “The Tubatse mayor Mr Ralepane Mamekoa came and checked our roads but never reported back to us, the protester complained.
The local chiefs, Kgoshi Phasha and Kgoshi Mampuru, were also present during the protest. The duo also highlighted their displeasure with the roads.
“Our cars don’t even last because of these bad roads; the authorities must just do something urgently,” Mampuru said.
The protesters said they demanded a written document that showed their roads would be fixed in a period of less than three months.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Ronel Otto said, “Communities were blocking the roads, they were demanding employment at the mines and that a new tarred road be built.They set alight cars and the police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.”
Otto confirmed that 72 people were arrested and would face charges of damage to property and public violence. She said they did not receive any information about any injured protesters.
Several sources of the newspaper claimed that more than 50 people, including elders, were injured by the police. The sources alleged some of the cops used live ammunition on the crowd.Otto said the public order policing from all over the Limpopo province were monitoring the situation on Tuesday March 3.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the premier of Limpopo, Mr Stan Mathabatha visited the troubled villages were he promised them that the tarring of roads would begin with immediate effect.
“This road is one of the so called bi-modal roads. It’s been a long time that people have been complaining about this road. Now it is at the top of our list.”
Mathabatha said that contractors would be on site by the end of April or the beginning of May.
Community member Mr Joseph Makola says residents are not satisfied with premier Mathabatha’s verbal promise. He says, “We are not happy because there is nothing signed. That was just verbal. They have been doing it since 2011. They were coming here verbally but they are not putting it on black and white. That is why this community is so angry.”
