It was business as usual for the employees at the embattled municipality’s main building in the North West city, however, things took a turn for the worse when at 08:30 am, irate Ikageng Extension 6 residents, who were transported by local taxis to the city centre, attempted to forcibly storm the building, demanding answers over a delayed toilet building project in Ikageng.

JB Mark spokesperson, Willy Maphosa, tells OFM News when the large group couldn’t gain entry to the building due to security measures in place, the mob began breaking windows at the entrance and pushed over the fence surrounding the building, causing extensive damage.

The toilet and water infrastructure project at the centre of the unrest dates back to 2016. Maphosa concedes the appointed contractor did not fulfil his obligations and half erected toilet top structures. His contract has in 2020 been cancelled due to poor performance. In addition to this, informal dwellers occupied the land where the project was taking place, adding to the municipality’s predicament.

In the midst of the chaos, the acting Mayor Gerald Modise addressed the angry residents informing them about the latest developments in the project. It is expected that a new contractor will be appointed to carry out the project.

North West Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says the situation normalised before police arrived on the scene. No arrests have been made, but a case has been opened by the municipality.

OFM News