The community of Ward 7 & 8 in the town of Lichtenburg in Ditsobotla local Municipality in the North West has threatened another total Shut down due to erratic provision of Water and electricity services since early last month. Police were called and defused the situation yesterday when a group of protestors allegedly barricaded the R503 (Lichtenburg) and R503 (Hartbeesfontein) intersections and N14 road in Coligny outside Lichtenburg, due to apparent shortage of water in their area.The community leader Johanna Tlotleng told Newsnote that they are devising a plan on how to carry-out their shutdown.
“We are sick and tired as the community that everytime we want to meet with the Municipal Manager and or the Executive Mayor we are sent from pillar to post, the community is tired of ill-treatment” she addedDitsobotla has been on the news recently when the Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motswaledi lashed its leadership for failing to provide services to the community and to keep its sewerage system clean. This after the General Delarey hospital flooded amid the torrential rain that buttered some parts of the province. “I mean o ikutlwetse (You have heard for yourself) even the health Minister decried the state of our municipality, its failure to render services to us, re patella ditirelo (We pay for services) but we are not serviced accordingly” Tlotleng emphasisedShe accused the municipality of using the police to threaten them every time they raise issues of service delivery.
“The sad part ke gore they threaten us ka sepodise, this morning we came to the municipality to ask to why other side of town is still in the dark, instead of meeting the Municipal Manager, heavily armed police officers arrived and told us that they will find the Municipal Manager for us, and we are sick and tired of that treatment. We are not going to stop until (sello sa rona se reediwa bagaetsho) our challenges have been attended to.Meanwhile, the Police has warned the community against blocking the roads and interrupting traffic flow in various major routes around the City and the province at large. “Blocking a road is unacceptable and unlawful. The Regulation of Gatherings Act, 1993, permits peaceful protests, which do not infringe on other people’s rights.
Those who protest cannot be allowed to break the law irrespective of how legitimate their concerns or demands are. In executing their mandate in terms of Section 205(1) (3) of the Constitution, the police will not hesitate to take action against anyone who embarks on unlawful activities, not only in Coligny, but also at other areas in the Province” said Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwaabona.
