This comes as residents in the small town, located less than 50km from Kimberley, again took to the streets this week crying foul over appointments made in a project meant for upgrading a national road leading to the town. The community alleges certain people have been contracted due to their government connections as opposed to merit. They primarily blame ward councillors for this issue. Roads in the area were blocked this week with stones, and a municipal building was torched, something which Sol Plaatje’s spokesperson, Sello Matsie, condemns.

Matsie says “legitimate concerns of the community about unemployment and poverty should not be hijacked for selfish reasons”. He further condemns the ongoing violence and damage of public property in Ritchie just outside Kimberley on Thursday 26 September. Matsie calls for calm in the small town, adding there is no need for criminal behaviour.

He stresses that none of the municipality’s employees or their family members are allowed to enter into businesses with other organs of state.

OFM News