Picture: The residents of Itireleng village embark on service delivery protest
By OBAKENG MAJE
The residents of Itireleng village, near Taung, said they will continue with their protestation until the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe heed their call. This morning, community members continued with their service delivery protests and barricaded the N18 road that links Hartswater and Taung.
One of the community leaders, Itumeleng Pholo said, they need a 2.5km paved road from their area to the N18 road. Pholo alleged that Gaoraelwe told them that, there was a R10 million budget set aside for the construction of the road, but he continues to send them from pillar to post.
“Even this morning, the community members have continued with the protest and barricaded the N18 road with burning tyres and debris. As the community of Itireleng, we feel disrespected by the manner in which the mayor is handling this matter.
“No communication whatsoever from the municipality. We want to understand what has happened to the R10 million budget for the road. There are also allegations regarding the missing R6 million that was previously part of the budget for the construction of the road. We receive no joy from the municipality, but aluta continua,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in Greater Taung Local Municipality, Sam Nape said the protests erupted in Matolong and Itereleng villages because Gaoraelwe made empty promises in 2022 to construct an internal road between the two villages connecting them to the N18.
Nape further said, in typical ANC fashion, Gaoraelwe made politically expedient promises to residents knowing full well that, the municipality did not have the funding nor the capacity to build such a road. He added that, neither does the road fall under the jurisdiction of the municipality.
“The road is a competency of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG). The DA would in principle support the construction of a road, but it must follow the correct process and procedures.
“When the matter appeared before council, we raised concerns that this would be an unfunded project, that the municipality has no jurisdiction to construct this road since it is a provincial road, and that the cost of R10 million seemed excessive,” said Nape.
He said ANC in council wanted to apply for funding from the municipality’s investment accounts, but this account was almost depleted after the ANC-led administration utilised R100 million from it over the last year.
Nape said Gaoraelwe was quick to make empty promises, raising expectations of residents, but when they took to the streets he went into hiding.
“In short, Gaoraelwe is the cause of these protests and he should at least have the backbone to engage the communities in the two villages. The DA will also raise the possible construction of this road with the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi, to see whether there is any intention and funding available for this project.
“Instead of resorting to disruptive protests, residents of Matolong and Itereleng Villages should register to vote DA in next year’s elections. The DA in government does not make promises that we cannot keep, and we ensure quality basic service delivery to all residents,” he said.
The Guardian 