Category Archives: McKeed Kotlolo

Sowetan: Uproar over demolishing of houses

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http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2010/10/11/uproar-over-demolishing-of-houses

Uproar over demolishing of houses

11-Oct-2010 | McKeed Kotlolo |
Mon Oct 11 17:54:40 SAST 2010

POLICE fired rubber bullets and used water cannon to disperse angry Robega villagers in Phokeng outside Rustenburg on Friday.

The standoff follows the demolition of the villagers’ houses and alleged continued harassment by tribal leader Kgosi Leruo Molotlegi at the weekend.

Six Robega families had their dwellings demolished by Red Ants, on orders by the Royal Bafokeng Administration (RBA) under Molotlegi, for allegedly squatting on the Bafokeng land.

During the Friday protests the villagers said they were tired of being harassed by Molotlegi, whom they claim had cut off their water supply.

Eight villagers – four men and four women – were arrested for public violence and were released on warning a day later, according to local leaders.

Police said the eight were expected to appear in court today but the leaders said they would appear in the Tlhabane magistrate’s court on November 10.

Colonel Junior Metsi of the North West provincial police also confirmed that the police used rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse a group of about 600 villagers, who had blocked the main road on Friday. This was after their villages were left without water the previous day.

She said the villagers believed that Molotlegi was responsible for the closure of the water supply. But even after officials explained that the closure was due to a burst pipe during construction work at the mine, they insisted on marching to the mine.

After the shootings family representatives told Sowetanthat they were not squatting since the sites were allocated to them by the village council. They said they did not receive any warning from the RBA and were now accommodated at the local satellite police station and the homes of local leaders.

But Kgosana Modisaotsile Mokate o f the RBA said the land on which Robega village was erected “belongs to RBA and was allotted to the Bafokeng in 1996”.

Sowetan: ‘Act on protests to avoid 2010 embarrassment’

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http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1122216

‘Act on protests to avoid 2010 embarrassment’
12 March 2010
Penwell Dlamini and McKeed Kotlolo

THE Government must deal with service delivery problems to avert protests and embarrassment during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

Joe Mavuso, facilitator of community and citizen empowerment at the Institute for Democracy in Africa, said protests during the tournament would tarnish the country’s image.

“It would be an embarrassment for our country,” Mavuso said. “The tournament brings with it an opportunity for the country to sell itself to the world.

“The government must engage these communities and make a commitment that their demands will be met even after the World Cup.”

For the last six months violent service delivery protests have rocked the country, with communities threatening to disrupt the World Cup.

There have been protests in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Gauteng recently.

The Ministry of Police says it is ready to maintain order in the country, before and during the World Cup.

“People have a right to voice their frustrations but that must be done within the framework of the law,” spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said.

Hosni Mosesi, a community leader in Sharpeville, said there was no stopping them.

“We have had a meeting with the premier of Gauteng, but nothing fruitful came of it. Nothing is being done to improve our lives but a lot is being done to impress the world,” Mosesi said.

Bongani Ntuli, a community leader at the Mayfield informal settlement in Daveyton, joined the chorus.

“Nothing has changed in our community since 1994 and there has been no consultation,” Ntuli said. “It is not our plan to cause chaos but we want the government to hear our cry.

“If the councillors don’t come to discuss our grievances before the World Cup we wont stop protesting.”

In Atteridgeville the Gauteng Civic Association met with the SAPS and a delegation from the Department of Human Settlements to avert yesterday’s protests but it was fruitless.

Themba Ncalo, general secretary of the organisation, said: “The department has had three weeks to come back with feedback. If we are not satisfied with their response, we will continue with the protest during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.”