(Picture: Facebook)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

It seems the North West Public Works and Roads department played an early ‘April Fool’ on Baga-Maidi community, if what Molelema community leader, Makoro Mothibi said is anything to go by.

According to Mothibi, the department promised to introduce the contractor to the community in January 2018, while the construction of the road between Manthe and Molelema villages in Taung will commence on the 1^st of April 2018.

Now situation is currently out of hand at Molelema as community went berserk. Police were forced to fire rubber bullets to unruly community members as they continue looting shops. The community demands tarred road on D208 and D209 roads and they promised not to stop until their grievances are met.

“The department failed to honour their promises. We submitted our memorandum last year and they agreed to maintain the road, while we are still waiting for the contractor to be introduced to us in January this year. However, nothing has happened and we are only left with few weeks before April.

“We have decided to embark on a protest to demonstrate our unhappiness. We have closed clinics, shops and schools, but we do not burn anything. Our roads are inaccessible especially during rainy season and that affects our livelihoods. So, we demand the tarred roads and we will never budge,” he said.

North West Public Works and Roads department spokesperson, Tsholofelo Mathibedi said: “The department has no money allocated for both roads due to budget constraints. However, MEC Mmule Maluleke will make time to visit the affected community and explain to them. The department will ensure that it grades those roads to the level of tarred roads. This will make them accessible and easier to tar them when there is budget available.

“We also urge communities to work together with us as we could not tar all roads at once. We understand their frustrations and we urge that patience must prevail among them. The department needs billions of rands to tar all roads across the province. The budget that we have is a conditional grant and we cannot shift it.”

North West Education and Sport Development department spokesperson, Elias Malindi lambasted those who prohibited children to go to school. Malindi said it is wrong to prohibit children to go to school as service delivery has nothing to do with them and the delay will affect them.

Pudimoe Police Station cluster spokesperson, Sgt Tebogo Thebe said: “No one has been arrested thus far. However, I will update you as the situation is currently underway. Police are in the area monitoring the situation.”

Unconfirmed reports stated that the Molelema Community Hall was up in flair.

NB: This is a developing story and we will continue to update you with any new developments.

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