Protestors who gathered at the Letsemeng Local Municipality’s office say they are tired of the municipality’s irregular appointments on key projects in the area. They allege the municipality has hired people outside of the town to come work on the project underway at the dam, whilst residents in the town are without jobs. Police spokesperson, Sinah Mpakane, confirms approximately 400 community members are involved in the strike. She says the wall of the community hall has thus far been demolished by protesters and the police are monitoring the situation very closely. No arrests have been made at this stage.

The protests that ensued this morning comes just days after parents gathered outside the Department of Education’s local offices and picketed over its decision to force grade 4-11 learners to write exams before any of the 2019 academic work could commence. Learners in this mining town missed the fourth quarter of school last year when violent service delivery protest led to the shutdown of schools and businesses. Community members in town went on the rampage calling for the resignation of Mayor Thandi Reachable, on the grounds of poor service delivery, the high unemployment rate and tender irregularities, amongst others.

Meanwhile, learners in this town are expected to continue with exams until next week.

OFM News