Maropong Community’s Right to Protest Infringed

Elton Thobejane, Marapong March 15 June 2016

The trend to prevent our communities from exercising constitutional rights by our local municipalities in collusion with the companies is now escalating to all regions of the Limpopo province.

Marapong communities and surrounding villages led by the Unemployment Forum in lephalale, Waterberg region notified the local municipality, the mayor and Eskom (Medupi power station) of their intention to protest march on the 15/06/2016. The the section 4 application was duly completed but was declined.

The march was against corruption at the municipality and Eskom and that the Mayor should stop doing the hiring and firing at Medupi

The cluster commander, Mr Ramakgwakgwa had to verbally permit the planned March to go ahead.

The protest march took place at Eskom information center at Overwatch and proceeded to Lephalale Local Municipality where the Social Services manager Mr Hlapa received the memorandum, the march was attended by 500 people

There were several challenges encountered with the police including that of Mr Mayor, who attempted to stop the transport to the march because he is severely implicated in the memorandum.