Residents threaten to not vote in election

“WE are not going to vote in the coming national elections.”

This was the threat by the community of Frans in Burgersfort recently.

They said they would not vote unless their demands were met by government.

Residents said they have been without electricity, water, and some of them without homes, for the past 16 years.

These residents said they relied on the filthy Pororo River for water, which they were forced to share with animals.

“We started living in this area in 1998.

“We were promised running water and electricity by the councillors, but our houses are still without lights and the taps remain dry to this day,” said one resident, Lucky Makofane.

Another resident, Elizabeth Paka, said she had to wake up every day at the crack of dawn to fetch firewood. She said she hoped that the Greater Tubatse Municipality will fulfil its promise of installing electricity in the area.

“We have lost hope in the government. Service delivery is a problem in this area. I share my room with my two children and there is no privacy at all,” says Paka.

Frans residents said they did not want to see any party campaigning in their area.

Thabiso Mokwena, the spokesperson for the Greater Tubatse Municipality, said plans to assist the community of Frans are underway.

“Frans village is part of the Operation Mabone programme.

“The department of energy committed funding in November 2013 and the initiative will start soon. It is anticipated to be completed before June,” said Mokwena.

He said the responsibility of providing water and sanitation was with the Sekhukhune District Municipality, and the matter would be brought to that municipality’s attention.