Seshego residents to embark on illegal protest – report
Seshego residents are expected to embark on a protest from 05:00 on Tuesday (August 30).
POLOKWANE – Residents of Seshego are said to be unhappy after the Polokwane Municipality brought back billing for indigent households, reportedly after a dispute between them and residents.
Seshego Community Against Crime and Gangsterism chairperson Vincent Kunutu explained to Review that the municipality reduced bills for residents without verifying whether they were indigent or not.
“They [the municipality] said they will no longer reduce some residents’ bills. Some residents were given five days notice to pay or their water and electricity would be cut off. We cannot allow that to happen,” Kunutu said.
A shutdown of Seshego, Lithuli Park and all the extensions was then planned by various stakeholders. A message circulated on social media that suggests a total shutdown of these areas, accompanied with the message: “No taxis, buses or private cars. You cross the line, you are on your own.”
Kunutu explained to Review this morning that the shutdown did not want to disrupt essential services in Seshego. “School children will attend school with their teachers. Other essential workers will also continue but we are unsure what else will operate,” he added at the time.
The group and other stakeholders were in engagements with the municipality throughout the day, while a planning meeting with residents were scheduled for 17:00 at the Seshego Stadium to finalise plans for the proposed shutdown.
However, at the meeting with residents, group representatives informed residents that the municipality did not grant them a permit for the protest action. Representatives told residents that Mayor John Mpe plans to meet with them on Thursday (September 1) and that their request to protest is at short notice. There should be a seven-day notice period.
Residents, however, refused to wait for the scheduled meeting and plan to commence with their protest at 05:00 on Tuesday (August 30). Review understands that residents will meet at the Seshego Circle Centre and march to the municipal offices to hand over their memorandum of demands.
Details surrounding the illegal protest have not been confirmed.
