Villagers say they have been ignored for too long
Contracting company, TMG Radebe JV's gates were closed recently during a strike.
MOKOPANE – Solly Papo, representative of the two communities, Ga Magongoa and Ga Mokaba, said: “The community’s concerns are that there were irregularities during the ward 20 elections earlier this year.”
It was a community election but the community was seemingly never informed of the election. There are also accusations that a ward councillor of Mogalakwena, whose name is known to Bosveld, has a conflict of interest in the matter.”
According to Papo, the company TMG Radebe JV has to employ sub-contractors from the local community and they suspect interference from the ward councillor’s side. The villagers say they are tired of empty promises.
“We are forced to take drastic measures so that someone can listen to us.”
Papo said the community representatives already had three scheduled meetings with the Mayor, Adrina Matsemela to raise their grievances.
“Each time these meetings are ignored and the community is not even informed that the meetings are postponed or rescheduled.”
He exclaimed fiercely that the community has been ignored for long enough and that the municipality does not respect the community and protect their interests.
Papo informed Bosveld on Wednesday that some of the villagers had been arrested.
“The next sitting of a meeting with the municipality will be on Thursday, if they arrest the community who will attend the meeting?” some villagers asked.
The site manager for TMG Radebe trading, Julius (who did not want to give his surname) said there had seemingly been a misunderstanding between the company and the two communities.
He said the areas of uncertainty had been solved in the meantime. He declined to comment further.
Bosveld has complaint letters in possession served to Mogalakwena Municipality dated 14 June, 20 June and 19 July and were received from Mogalakwena Municipality representatives Secretary to the Chief Whip Imelda Poto, Secretary of the Municipal Manager Mokgadi Manala, The Mayor’s Secretary, Khomotso Dikotla, and Chief Operations Officer, Hendrik Ngoepe.
Bosveld had not received a response from the Mogalakwena Municipality before going to print.
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
