MODJADJISKLOOF: Poor living conditions lead to trashy protest
"As long as there is sewerage in our streets, and as long as the mayor does not answer, we will protest!"
This statement was one of the countless outcries by the Makgoba people when they protested to express their grievances with their living conditions last week Wednesday, November 22.
According to claims made by residents at the Makgoba hostel, the conditions in which they are living in have become filthy and inhumane.
“There is sewerage water running in our streets, how are we supposed to live with this?” claimed one of the residents.
These statements followed an alleged attempted meeting with the Greater Letaba Municipality (GLM) Mayor, Peter Matlou.
Residents stated that they had attempted to meet with mayor Matlou the day before on Tuesday, November 21, but to no avail as the mayor was not in his office at the time.
They then returned the next day, claiming that they had organised a meeting with the mayor, only to find that he again was not in his office.
This led to the beginning of the protest.
The residents proceeded to overturn rubbish bins and containers into the streets of Modjadjiskloof, to express their dissent.
This led to the blockage of roads, which meant road-users were forced to find whatever alternative route they could find to get to their destination.
Public Order Police Services (POPS) were dispersed to deal with the protesters, and managed to diffuse the situation.
However, rubbish still littered to the streets and road-users were forced to drive around the rubbish to get through.
The protesters decided they had not yet fully expressed their grievances, and carried on protesting opposite the Makgoba hostel by burning wood and rubber tyres.
Again, POPS were sent to the scene and dealt with the situation accordingly.
Police were forced to clear the road themselves, and had to monitor and wave through traffic as only one lane could be used at a time.
Protesters chanted “We want the mayor!” while police proceeded to diffuse the situation and calm the protesters down.
After hour-long talks between residents and police, residents were content with what had been discussed and agreed to consult formally with mayor and his office.
According to GLM Spokesperson, Lovers Maenetja, the mayor was not in office on Tuesday and Wednesday as he was simply performing his duties as a mayor.
“When the Makgoba residents arrived at the offices, the mayor was attending prearranged meetings that he unfortunately could not cancel, so he could not attend to their grievances,” Maenetja said.
Maenetja further confirmed that the mayor did meet with the residents on Friday, November 24, attending to their concerns.
“The mayor arranged and attended a meeting with the Makgoba people on Friday where their concerns were discussed and agreements were made on future action.”
Maenetja urged that residents refrain from resorting to protest to express their issues and concerns.
“The mayor’s office is always open. If you have a problem, you are welcome to come to the offices and express your grievance by following the correct steps,” stated Maenetja.
