By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
20 March 2025- The embattled Ratlou Local Municipality mayor, Matlhomola Jafta has expressed devastation following the spate of violent protests and vandalism of public infrastructure such as roads in Madibogo and Setlagole respectively. This comes after community members from Madibogo village went on the rampage on Tuesday and embarked on violent protest over poor service delivery.
Community members in ward 6, demanded that the municipality provide them with high mask lights, accessible roads, electricity and water.
However, Jafta said community members allegedly
chose to raise their frustration on lack of service delivery by engulfing in violent protests that include blocking of public roads with burning tyres and objects. He further said the community members also blocked access to public facilities, including municipal offices in
Setlagole.
“We condemn the incidents and further echo our frustration about the ongoing sporadic incidents that indirectly affect the economy of the small and growing municipalities like Ratlou. We call on the community members to desist from acts of violence.
“We urge them to heed the call to end violent protests as they adopt negotiations as an amicable way to resolve issues. The community amongst others, raised challenges ranging from poor internal roads infrastructure, lack of provision of housing, high-mast
lights and the fact that they are continuously grappling with lack of provision of drinkable water and proper sanitation in their area,” said Jafta.
He added that, the public order policing unit had since been called in to quell the situation that was
already getting out of hand. Jafta call on civil society, social partners and community leaders across the municipality to work with the municipal
authorities and follow lawful remedies, whilst seeking lasting solutions.
“The situation has been brought to normalcy following a meeting with the affected parties. We applaud the community leaders for their resolve to end the protests.
The Guardian 