North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Manketsi Tlhape, is tackling recently service delivery protest actions in the province head-on, in an effort to quell down the situation.

Tlhape visited the Setlagole village in the Ratlou local municipality to address a protest action by angry community members who blockaded roads with burning tyres and stones. Residents are complaining about lack of water, poor states of roads, lack of employment opportunities and high incidents of crime.

The MEC appealed for residents to cut short their protest action. “It’s important that you remain calm and allow stability to prevail while we try to resolve your demands. In the meantime guard against destroying important public facilities as the community will be in desperate need of such amenities in the future,” she said.

Tlhape told residents that government had not abandoned them and asked residents to be patient while government tries to address their demands. She said a Rapid Response Team wasrecently established in her office and will be in constant touch with community leaders to amicably resolve residents’ concerns.

Tlhape previously addressed the community of Khunotswana village near Zeerust under Ramotshere Moiloa Municipality where residents were complaining about the 84 km gravel road between Tweefontein and Jagersfontein, lack of houses, sanitation, water, electricity in recently built houses, community hall and hi-mast lights. Tlhape promised to bring relevant stakeholders to the community soon to address these concerns.

Further protests

Hundreds of protestors marched to the Cape Town provincial legislature this week demanding housing and improved sanitation.

The protests was organised by the newly-formed Western Cape Social and Economic Development Forum. In a memorandum, the forum is demanding the province address the housing backlog, that service delivery be improved in informal settlements, the resignation of human settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikiza, revisions to laws regarding housing and an end to BEE fronting by white businesses.

Western Cape Premier and Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille was prevented from addressing the large crowd. The crowd reportedly booed and sang songs insulting Zille when she attempted to address the protestors.