We will not back down, say Westenburg residents
Even though a fragile calm has taken foot in Westenburg, the community are adamant they will not back down on their demands.
POLOKWANE – Matters escalated to a violent protest action, arrests and turmoil when residents decided enough is enough and took a stand for better service delivery a couple of weeks ago.
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Westenburg Community Development Forum Chairperson, Ray Goulkan, says despite the calm, the community has still not given up on demands clearly outlined in the memorandum of grievances they handed to the Polokwane Municipality.
They handed the municipality the memorandum when the Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, asked to meet with residents to discuss the matter.
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“We will continue to follow up with the municipality and other departments until everything in our community is fixed and up to standard. We are happy the municipality is finally beginning to take us and our demands seriously. We have thus far received a positive response and feedback,” Goulkan said, adding the municipality has assured the community they are looking into the grievances. “The municipality said they are looking into projects to assist with fixing the Westenburg swimming pool, park areas and to allocate vacant land so a clinic can be built to serve the community.”
On Sunday, 12 August residents met with Extension 40 Steering Committee Secretary, Stuurman Mashinde, to discuss land grabs.
“We understand there might be many people who did not submit claims for land yet which is why we will reopen the land claims process again so people can apply for land as soon as possible. The land claims resolution has been noted and taken into serious consideration, and all residents in Westenburg who have not yet claimed for land before can get assistance regarding land claims,” Mashinde said.
A meeting regarding land claims is scheduled for this Sunday, 19 August in Extension 40 at the site offices at 12:00 and all concerned residents are invited.
“We will assist each and every one. Late claimants are also welcome,” Mashinde added.
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People who were arrested following the protest action in Westenburg for various charges including malicious damage to property, are set to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 September.during the During the protests that took place in July, a few protesters were arrested for damaging property, and a court date is set for Monday 17 September at the Polokwane Magistrate Court.
