The committee was accused of failing to report to the residents on the progress of developments to obtain RDP houses and other developments.There was a division into two factions – those who wanted the executive committee to disband and others who wanted them to stay on.

This emerged during a heated meeting that swung back and forth at the local school.

Others said the committee, led by Walter Mthembu and consisting of seven members, had failed dismally to fulfil their mandate. Papi Tobius who chaired the meeting but is not part of the executive committee was singing a different tune.

He told Sedibeng Ster there was no way the committee would be disbanded:

“They will have to hand over all documents. They will have to explain about the latest new developments following their mandate.” Dan Mofokeng, executive committee organiser, said Boiketlong belongs to members from various political parties:

“We appreciate efforts and the ideas from the United Front, African National Congress and Economic Freedom Fighters, for gracing the area.

“We are aware that elections are around the corner and all eyes from the political parties are on informal settlements.

“The smart-mouthed, political talk about the services game is always focused on the informal settlements to score votes. Different parties have come and gone but we have never harvested a single plant from their empty promises.”

The government aims to develop the area, having already started with communal water taps.

Mofokeng said the committee is in possession of the previous minutes:

“We are aware that certain individuals want to divide us. Boiketlong has more than 13 000 shacks and we all want houses.”

lazarus.dithagiso@media24.com