By REGINALD KANYANE
Six people from Molelema village in Taung briefly appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Gaorongwe Mooki, Kenny Letebele, Ompolokile Leeuw, Malefane Motswakae, Olebogeng Monchusi and Tebogo Makoloi were subsequently arrested and charged with public violence after the community of Baga-Maidi embarked on violent protests demanding tar roads on D208 and D209 routes few months ago.
The accused were granted R500 bail each and they will be back in court on the 25 September 2018. Those who were released on bail were instructed to report at Kokomeng Police Station every Friday between 6am and 6pm.
Shops were looted, while the community hall and few schools torched during protests. One of community leaders, Mothibi Makoro said: “The community embarked on a protest demanding tar road on D208 and D209 after the North West Public Works and Roads department failed to honour its promises to construct those roads on 1 April 2018.
“There was an agreement between the community and the department to construct those roads during 2018/19 financial year. Our roads are inaccessible especially during rainy season. We have met with the department regarding the matter, but nothing positive came forth.”
MEC for Public Works and Roads department, Mmule Maluleke said the department can only afford to construct a 10km tarred road due to financial constraints.
North West MEC of Education and Sport Development department, Sello Lehari also condemned the arson after Molelema Primary School’s administration block and the National School Nutrition Programme kitchen were reduced to ashes.
“The destruction of schools was never a solution to challenges residents face in communities. On behalf of the department, I condemn in the strongest terms the burning of the two schools in the province. Last year pupils of GS Phoi Secondary School in Madibogo village, near Mahikeng lost about three months of teaching and learning due to strikes.
“The GS Poi obtained only 46% pass rate when coming to matric final examination last year. So, I am pleading with our communities to desist from burning schools as this act creates a huge backlog in the infrastructure for schools too,” he said.
The Guardian 