Limpopo residents demand government to take them seriously

LIMPOPO – The frustration of residents living in Sinthumule, Kutama and Tshikota, who for months have been saying that government is simply ignoring their pleas to have access to decent roads and a reliable supply of water and electricity, has yet again become tangible after residents from these areas embarked on a two-day strike last week that brought the local economy to an almost complete standstill.

Protestors were transported to town by buses and minibuses from their areas, and on both days, many shops in the area, including Louis Trichardt, were closed, for fear of looting.

Protesters blocked major roads including the D3715, D959, R522 and the N1, as well as the entrance roads leading to areas such as Nzhelele and Tshikota, and the Tshiozwi, Schoemansdal, and Ravele intersection.

Taxis were the only mode of transport operating on the day and subsequently, many local schools were closed over these two days, and workers were unable to report for duty.

Since early last Tuesday morning, taxis were blocking the entrances to Louis Trichardt at the Elim circle on the N1, where demonstrators gathered for their march to the Makhado municipal offices. The march started at 10:00 and went ahead peacefully.

One of the main reasons for the protesters’ frustration is the poor condition of roads, such as the D3715 that links various villages in the Sinthumule and Kutama areas.

The grievances are also about the poor workmanship on the D959 that links Madombidzha with the air force base, as well as a lack of water and constant power failures.

Last Tuesday, a memorandum was presented to the Mayor of Makhado, Dorcus Mboyi, and councillor Samuel Munyai, the head of technical services in the Vhembe district.

Protestors wanted to hand over the memorandum to the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Nkakareng Rakgoale, but she was not present.

The memorandum was then handed over to councillor Samuel Munyai by the chairperson of the Zoutpansberg Community Development Forum (ZCDF), Patrick Sikhutshi.

Sikhutshi called for the immediate removal of the MEC, saying when they met with her on January 21, she had promised to come and address the residents.

He furthermore said the strike was the result of government’s failure to fulfil its promises to build more secondary roads.

“Residents are demanding the completion of phase II of the rehabilitation of the D3715 from Madodonga. In addition to the deteriorating roads, the shortage of water and the poor electricity supply to villages are also a problem.” Frustrated, he stated that they had had enough of empty promises from the Department of Public Works and Makhado Municipality since 2022.

In the memorandum, residents furthermore demand the immediate scrapping of all debts for Tshikota residents and the normalisation of the water and electricity supply. “We need our people to receive services just like other villages around the province,” he said.

Sikhutshi added that they believed that their demands should be addressed to avoid a week-long, total shutdown until their demands are taken seriously.

Taxi owner Khangala Manyuha voiced his frustration with the situation.

“Every time, Public Works officials promise to rehabilitate the road, which is situated only 8km from Madodonga to Tshikhodobo, but there still has not been any improvement.

“Taxi and bus owners are tired of having their precious minibuses drive along this road because their vehicles get worn out in a matter of weeks. It is nearly impossible to drive on this road when it has rained. We need a proper road here,” he said.

The local business community was not overly impressed with the disruptive action.

One business owner, who did not want his name mentioned, summarised the sentiment when he said most local residents could sympathise with the frustrations, but this was not the way to address the problems.

“Why act like a bully and punish the workers and the local businesses?” he asked. He added that thousands of people could not reach their places of work and would have to put in two days’ leave or go without pay.

“Water is the responsibility of the Vhembe District Municipality, which is situated in Thohoyandou. Many of the roads fall under the provincial agency, which is situated in Polokwane. Why take a swipe at the local people, who can do nothing to change the situation?” he asked.

Although many residents believe the protest action is merely the start of the political game-playing that precedes the elections later this year, the organisers were adamant that this was not for grandstanding.

No political slogans or regalia were allowed during the protest march.