Ga-Masha residents demanding power say enough is enough
Young and old carried placards that read, "My vote is for your own benefit, Mr Mayor" and "After 21 years of democracy still no electricity". They also vowed to shun the upcoming municipality if electricity was not installed in their homes. Parents complained that their children struggled with schoolwork due to the lack of electricity.
BURGERSFORT – More than 100 disgruntled residents from Ga-Masha Zone 4 and 5 protested outside the offices of the Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM) last Thursday to demand electricity.
Determined to depict the hardship of living without power, the residents brought lanterns, candles, and paraffin stoves to the march. March convener, Mr Thomas Monate said they were sick and tired of empty promises from the municipality
“We have been staying in that area for more than a decade now and there is no electricity. People are resorting to illegal connections because they are desperate to have electricity.”
The residents alleged they were given electricity by the nearby mines but GTM ordered the police to remove it as it was deemed illegal. “We have elderly people who can no longer collect wood to cook now and they are forced to live without electricity,” Monate added.
Young and old carried placards that read, “My vote is for your own benefit, Mr Mayor” and “After 21 years of democracy still no electricity”. They also vowed to shun the upcoming municipality if electricity was not installed in their homes. Parents complained that their children struggled with schoolwork due to the lack of electricity. The residents gave GTM seven days to respond to their grievances.
Representing the mayor, Cllr Lazarus Mabilo said it was good of the residents to show their concern in a peaceful manner. “We have received the memorandum and will respond to it within the given time,”
he promised.
