Ekuthuleni residents protest on R50

LEBOHANG – Residents of Ekuthuleni informal settlement in Lebohang took to the streets on April 16, blocking the busy R50 with stones and burning tyres as they demanded answers from the Govan Mbeki Municipality about the formalisation of their area.

The protest followed Eskom’s removal of illegal electricity connections earlier that morning, which angered residents who say they have long been waiting for basic services.

Community members accuse the municipality of avoiding giving clear answers about when Ekuthuleni will be formalised.

They also allege that the municipality has failed to negotiate with the landowner to purchase the land they occupy.

Public Order Police were called in to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of motorists travelling along the R50.

Ward 2 Clr Joseph Maseko arrived at the scene to engage with residents and listen to their grievances.

He urged protestors to allow him time to arrange a meeting with the mayoral committee, where their concerns could be formally addressed.

However, residents rejected the proposal, saying they had raised their concerns multiple times before.

They insisted that what they need now is a clear date and timeline for the formalisation of Ekuthuleni so they can access basic municipal services like other communities.

Maseko explained that the matter is currently before the courts, with the municipality involved in a dispute with a mining company that claims it is still conducting underground mining in the area.

Frustrated residents accused authorities of “playing mind games,” arguing that the land had already been demarcated for human settlement, citing visible pegs as evidence.

The issue dates back to 2021, when Mpumalanga Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Speedy Mashilo visited the area following violent protests.

At the time, Mashilo stated that the land, known as Ext 24 or Ekuthuleni, belongs to MIB and had already been developed into a township, although it had not yet received municipal approval.

Mashilo also noted that another mining company had objected, claiming prospecting rights over the land.

However, he indicated that such rights do not prevent the land from being used for residential purposes.

According to Mashilo, the land had been valued at approximately R17m, and the province was in the process of finalising negotiations to purchase it from MIB.

Following engagements with Maseko on April 16, residents eventually dispersed, and the R50 was reopened to traffic.