Residents tired of being sidelined

FED up with not having electricity for 16 years, residents of Frans village near Burgersfort blockaded the R37 with stones and burnt tyres bringing traffic to a standstill recently.

The protesters alleged that the lack of electricity had resulted in two people being burnt as they were forced to use paraffin stoves.

“We are tired of empty promises and we demand action,” they said. They alleged that they were promised electricity by the Greater Tubatse Municipality in 1998, but to this day their homes had no lights.

“We have seen many villages get better services than ours. We are tired of being sidelined by our municipality. We don’t see the purpose of keeping the local councillor, Joyce Riba in her position because she does nothing for our community. She has electricity and we don’t, she does not know what it feels like.”

Municipal spokesperson Thabiso Mokoena said the municipality was aware of the village’s electrical problems. “We met with the community members to hear their concerns and we will meet again during the course of the week in order to solve this crisis,” Mokoena said.

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) secretary, Eddie Maile and South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) chairperson in Tubatse, Jackson Tjatji, addressed the protesters and said they would strive to ensure their homes were electrified.

“You have the right to strike when you are not happy; the local councillor does not care about your needs. I am touched when I see people suffering due to lack of services,” Tjatji said.

He said it was by coincidence that he witnessed the protest. “I was on my way to Polokwane and I was shocked to see the villagers striking. The municipality has to ensure they get electricity, we cannot allow a situation where people live without power, that is unacceptable,” he added.

He promised residents that he would help them in reporting the matter to the provincial government.