On 5 July 2024, residents of Ikageng and Promosa mobilized in a powerful protest against the municipality, demanding an end to corruption and improved service delivery. The protest, which commenced at Ikageng Stadium, saw a unified community voicing longstanding grievance regarding maladministration, financial mismanagement, and inadequate municipal services.
“We are tired of empty promises and rampant corruption that have plagued our municipality,” said Thabang Makhene, reflecting the sentiments of many protesters. The demonstration aimed to highlight the community’s demand for immediate reforms and accountability from local government officials.
The memorandum, directed to the MEC and HOD of COGTA, deployed Mr. Mpho Tladi, the director responsible for municipal performance, outlining specific demands including fairer rates and taxes across all regions within the municipality.
“We demand fairness in rates and taxes collection. It’s unjust for Potchefstroom residents to bear the financial burden alone while others evade their responsibilities,” stated Bradley Lavars, a community leader from Promosa.
The merger of Ventersdorp and Tlokwe into the J.B. Marks Municipality following municipal boundary changes has exacerbated financial strains, particularly evident in outstanding debts to ESKOM. “Our municipality owes ESKOM over Three Hundred and Fifty Million Rands due to mismanagement and illegal connections,” remarked Beauty Pheto, a prominent leader from Ikageng, emphasizing the dire financial predicament.
The issue of illegal connections to municipal services, including electricity, has compounded financial woes and service delivery challenges. “We demand the immediate disconnection of illegal services and accountability for those responsible,” insisted Kgotso Sehurutshe, one of the protesters.
Residents also raised issues concerning human settlements. “For fifteen years, our people have waited for land allocations and decent housing. The conditions of our infrastructure, including asbestos-laden houses, pose serious health risks,” lamented a concerned resident.
“Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable. We demand audits of all departmental expenditures and immediate rectification of service delivery failures,” emphasized Lavars.
As of now, the municipality has not commented on the protest or the memorandum directed to the COGTA Department. The community has given the municipality a deadline of fourteen days to respond comprehensively to the demands outlined in the protest.
“We expect tangible steps towards accountability and meaningful improvements in service delivery,” concluded Pheto, highlighting the community’s resolve to hold local government accountable.
