The failure of the local municipality and the inability to address the community’s issues might have fuelled the residents’ rage. This is according to the office of the North West premier, Job Mokgoro.

Yesterday irate residents took to streets of Khuma near Stilfontein in a rampant mood over the alleged failure of local municipalities to account and engage them properly.

Mokgoro’s spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, says during a briefing with Mokgoro yesterday by residents he was informed that the residents have for months trying to persuade the Matlosana Municipality to come to table and address issues such as that of land, in particular.

Ngesi says Mokgoro will today address and discuss the issues raised by the community during the Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting and further says all MEC’s will today visit the area to give feedback on these issues.

Earlier, the community leader Thembile Botman told OFM News that residents in that area were upbeat and determined in their cause to see the occupied land named after the late struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

He said drawing from Madikizela-Mandela’s fortitude, ideals, and fighting spirit, the residents saw the need to make sure that the place is occupied and named after her. He says two years ago residents attempted to grab the land but they were told the land was intended for another purpose.

He added that the struggle for land for people of Khuma dates way back to the time that the area became more populated when mineworkers from a nearby place called Skomplas near Orkney moved to the area when the mines started closing or laying off some of the employees.

Botman said the area is far behind with the development as compared to other towns in Matlosana and he says the town does not even have basic things such as a swimming pool, sports facilities, and shopping malls, amongst others.

OFM News