Ikageng resident fighting for site’s redemption
The previous dumping site used to be an eyesore for the community. Lebucwane cleaned it up and started integrating his business operation, before his site was vanadalised and his dreams shattered.
An Ikageng resident has been suffering without income for two years after his business site was demolished.
Gaolatlhe Lebucwane (51) is running out of options after sending numerous letters to the municipality regarding his situation without any reply. Lebucwane identified a site at 15842 Mogolodi Street in Extension 11, aiming to establish a successful business to fuel job creation and alleviate poverty.
The previous dumping site used to be an eyesore for the community. Lebucwane cleaned it up and started integrating his business operation. The primary purpose of his business (Re Aga Sechaba Bricks) was to construct bricks from raw materials. Now, after two years, the site is full of rubbish again.
“The material I gathered and the fencing invested on the site was unlawfully removed, stolen and vandalised. A TLB was also used to flatten the site,” states Lebucwane, while showing the leftover ash material still visible on the site. He claims the municipality demolished the site even after leasing the area to him.
“These materials are worth thousands of rands. I also borrowed money to assemble the materials and want the municipality to compensate me, as they lawfully granted me a lease on the site,” he adds.
Lebucwane also showed the Herald a written document, signed by ANC ward councillor Komani Maneli on 10 September 2021, requesting that Lebucwane could lease the stand.
“I would like the mayor to intervene in the matter and take remedial action for me to retain the site. I also wanted to create a social welfare centre for people with disabilities. In the past two years, other people have occupied the site, and now all the hard work is lost. I lost a lot of capital in improving the site. I’m currently unemployed, and it feels like my dream has been snatched from me,” stated Lebucwane, whose idea for positive change has not had the chance to become a reality.
The Herald wrote to the municipality, enquiring about the site but had not received feedback by printing time.
