Speaking to OFM News on the matter, Mayor of Mantsopa Local Municipality, Mamsie Tsoene, explains it was not the entire Ladybrand community that was up in arms, but a small cohort of “Parliamenteng” residents. About a week ago, the residents of this informal settlement met with Tsoene to voice their frustrations about the water issues they face daily in the area. The Mantsopa mayor says she and the residents came to an agreement, that same week, regarding some of the measures the municipality will be introducing as a part of its promise to formalise the area. These include the installation of three communal taps, and the placement of gravel along a path leading to “Parliamenteng”, making it roadworthy.

The municipality’s plans, however, were affected by logistical issues. The municipality managed to install only two of the three promised communal taps due to a shortage of material. They also could not import the gravel as promised to residents last week. The Mantsopa mayor says it was the above-mentioned issues that led to Tuesday’s publicised protest. On March 26, residents barricaded the R 26 with tyres and rocks blocking entry into parts of the town as well. Just after midday, Tsoene addressed the “Parliamenteng” residents and the tension was quelled, with residents and municipal workers removing the barricades in a joint effort. She says the municipality is getting down to work to ensure that the issues in the now formalised settlement are dealt with. She stresses that she has instructed the accounting officer to see the work through, “we need to deliver, as we make promises to the people. It means tomorrow, all that I have said should happen, must happen” concludes Tsoene.

In June 2018, DA Councillor in Ward 7, Tanya Halse, told OFM News protests broke out in Ladybrand after the relationship between Mantsopa and the Marikana Settlement Committee broke down over general service delivery concerns. The dissension dated back to a peaceful community march nearly a month prior. It was at this march that a memorandum, outlining a list of demands from the community, was handed in to Tsoene. These demands included a request from the Marikana Settlement Committee to have the municipality placed under administration. Tsoene says the people behind that protest were from the "Parliamenteng" and "Marikana" informal settlements – two areas which the municipalities have since formalised.

OFM News