Fed-up Nkotokwane residents: You promised us a tarred road

Community members of Nkotokwane village in Ga-Mphahlele are up in arms with provincial government over its alleged inability to provide essential services to them.
The villagers, led by Seome Mphahlele, protested at the Premier’s Office on Monday and said they were promised a tarred road in 2015, prior to the local government elections.
They said to date, their roads remain bumpy and dusty and Mphahlele explained that they want construction of a tarred road from Maijane to Nkotokwane to be concluded by the end of the 2021/22 financial year.
He said they also demand that a bridge is build to enable them to cross the Lepelle river between Nkotokwane and Apel.
“We demand the tarred road that you once promised to the people of Nkotokwane, under the Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality. We also demand the bridge because, when there is heavy rains, the community is unable to move from one place to another as the roads will be dilapidated by flowing water. Our learners will also then be unable to attend school around Apel,” Mphahlele said.
He explained that residents are unable to access the clinic at Apel due to dilapidated roads in the area. “These roads are a major concern for everyone. Pregnant women find themselves in hopeless and heartless situations because ambulances are unable to reach them due to unpalatable road conditions.”
The Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC, Dickson Masemola, received the memorandum of concerns on behalf of the premier, and said the community’s demands are reasonable.
“They have a right to protest and make us aware of their challenges as a community. We will follow protocol and make arrangements,” he concluded.