Protest erupts over delayed Ga-Phaahla to Masehlaneng Road project

GA-PHAAHLA – The community of Ga-Phaahla embarked on protest over Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality’s delay in implementing the construction of the Ga-Phaahla to Masehlaneng Road project on Tuesday.

The fierce residents, joined by Marishane and Mathapisha villagers, blockaded the busy R579 Road from 4:00 as they demanded answers from the municipality over the delay of the project.

According to the residents, designers were sent to the area last year to start with the development. The residents indicate that they were surprised during the draft IDP and Budget consultations to discover that the project did not reflect.

Kgoshi Letsiri Phaahla, local traditional authority leader,  said the community made several attempts to meet with Mayor Merah Mahlase but she failed to honour the invitation twice.

Kgoshi Phaahla stated that the community decided to take action after the mayor failed to meet with them in a meeting which was scheduled during last week.

Groblersdal Public Order Policing Unit was summoned to the area to defuse the situation as traffic on the economic road was adversely affected.

Learners and workers using the road were left stranded as the fierce protest resulted in motorists and all forms of public transport avoiding the area.

“The police carried rubber bullet guns and teargases and ordered the protestors to disperse in 5 minutes. In solidarity with the community members, we managed to engage the police to quell the situation as the residents were getting more infuriated,” said Phaahla.

The residents informed that the mayor finally came following the mediation of the SAPS Nebo representative.

However, the residents condemned that the mayor couldn’t provide satisfactory answers. “We communicated with Limpopo MEC for Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure, Ernest Rachoene and he promised that the Road Agency Limpopo CEO will attend to the matter,” pointed out Phaahla.

The residents threatened to close the R579 Road weekly if they do not get tangible solutions on the matter from the authorities.

A meeting was scheduled with the RAL CEO for Wednesday. The municipality confirmed the meeting with the traditional leadership. It indicated that it would only be able to give a report after its materialisation.