The North West Provincial MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Mothibedi Kegakilwe has called for calm and restraint in Ottosdal, Tswaing Local Municipality following violent protests which erupted this week.
The Provincial Department has said in a statement that, according to the protesters, they submitted a memorandum to the Mayor of Tswaing almost a month ago and they felt the response they were given, was inadequate.
They resorted to vandalizing the local police station, torched the municipal satellite offices, two municipal trucks, electrical repairs and waste removal truck including the community library in Letsopa.
The MEC responsible for the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs have condemned the actions of the residents.
We cannot allow a situation where people engage in public violence and vandalize public amenities, irrespective of the extent of their frustrations. The Constitution allows for peaceful demonstration and therefore we will not allow this violent situation to continue. Let us allow government to engage with yourselves and to find solutions to issues that you have raised.
Meanwhile, the municipal workers of Tswaing have also not been going to work due to non-payment of their June salaries after the municipal account was attached for failing to pay the service provider.
In a meeting with MEC Kegakilwe yesterday, the muncipality indicated they have managed to raise enough funds in the form of rates and taxes to be able to pay the outstanding salaries. MEC Kegakilwe will be in Ottosdale today.