The Matjhabeng Local Municipality will not tolerate the unlawful gating of streets, which is underway in some suburbs within Welkom.
“This is being done without the consent of the municipality. We will not allow the creation of exclusionary environments that close off and impede access to the general public.
“We wish to encourage our residents to explore other means of security in their neighbourhoods, which may not hinder other people’s freedom of movement,” says Adv. Lonwabo Ronald Ngoqo, municipal manager of Matjhabeng.
On Friday (05/05), social media was abuzz with comments from infuriated residents, accompanied by videos and photographs of the municipal operation to counter the gating of streets that were widely shared.
The municipality has since advised concerned communities of the legal processes involved to apply for street closures.
“No street in Matjhabeng has yet followed these procedures,” says Tshediso Tlali, spokesperson for Matjhabeng.
This public uproar follows a major operation by the Matjhabeng Departments of Safety and Security, and Spacial Planning on Friday when gates and fencing restricting access to the Kok, Goedehoop, Uitkyk, Madeliefie, Buren and Cypress streets were broken down and removed by the municipality.
“Erecting structures on municipal property without permission is directly damaging municipal infrastructure,” explains Tlali.
The residents of these enclaves are enraged and have vowed to sue the municipality for malicious damage to their property.
The various streets and communities have since started a class action process against the municipality.
