By OBAKENG MAJE

Millions of South Africans across the country successfully went out in their numbers to make their voices heard in the 7^th democratic national and provincial elections by casting their votes. However, this was not the case in Shaleng village, near Taung, as only a handful individuals’ went to cast their votes. 

This comes after aggrieved residents boycotted elections and embarked on poor service delivery protests. Residents alleged that the sitting government has done nothing for them since 1994. 

One of the residents, Rogers Mongale said their 15km gravel road is inaccessible, especially during the rainy season. Mongale said the North West Department of Education also promised to build a state-of-art school in their area from 2019, but there is nothing to show for. 

“We are sick and tired of all the lies the government officials fed us. We need a tarred 15km road, a new school that the department promised to construct in 2019, including high mast lights. 

“There are other issues regarding the money being paid by Vodacom for installing their tower in our area. We understand that more than R250 000 was paid into the community’s bank account, but our tribal authority does not want to account,” he said. 

Mongale further said the Electoral Independent Commission (IEC) continues to pay for the usage of their local community hall, since 1994, however, they do not know where that money goes to. He added that, also, the contractor who was appointed to construct their gravel road, was paying R900 for each truck that was loading the soil from their area, but even today, they do not know what happened to that money.          

However, the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Infrastructure in the Greater Taung Local Municipality and ward councilor, Itumeleng Maribe said: “You will remember that, there are challenges in that area as some of the community members embarked on protest over poor service delivery. Some of the challenges they raised were inaccessible roads, which is genuine and a prerogative of the North West Public Works and Roads. 

“In quest to find a lasting solution on this matter, the District Director of North West Public Works and Roads, went to the area to address the community regarding this challenge. Unfortunately, he welcomed him. So, I was requested by the ANC as a trouble shooter to come and speak to the residents and address their issues.” 

Maribe said they understand that the community was irked and decided not to vote, however, they need to understand that it was their democratic right to go and vote for the political party of their choice. 

“Unfortunately, on my arrival, the situation was volatile. The municipality has taken a resolution to attend to the residents’ grievances. We have also allocated a budget for internal roads in Shaleng for the 2025/2026 financial year. 

“We have also instilled high mast lights as part of addressing service delivery. Other issues will be addressed by relevant departments and we will ensure that all challenges are dealt with going forward,” he said. 

Meanwhile, GCIS acting Director General, Nomonde Mnukwa said: “The government thanks the millions of South Africans who successfully went out in their numbers to make their voices heard in the seventh democratic national and provincial elections by casting their votes. This is a clear sign that South Africa has successfully concluded another milestone in its democratic journey with an election characterised by a high voter turnout which affirms that citizens were exercising their fundamental constitutional responsibility of voting. 

“This elections, characterised by a visibly high level of participation, coinciding as it does with the celebrations of 30 years of freedom and democracy, affirmed the fundamental constitutional responsibility of voting as a true symbol representing the voice of our nation.”

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