Residents of Lethabong demand basic services today!

By Molaole Montsho

Residents of Lethabong, on the outskirts of Rustenburg, have called for urgent improvements to basic services, including access to water, reliable electricity, and proper roads.

The community experienced a power outage on Sunday night, with electricity only restored on Tuesday afternoon. Residents told ANC National Executive Committee member deployed to North West, Njabulo Nzuza, that taps have run dry and the water tankers dispatched to supply the area were insufficient.

“Two water tankers cannot service the entire Lethabong. Can the Rustenburg local municipality provide enough trucks to supply water for wards 27 and 28, at least five trucks for each ward?” said Bafana Zenzile.

Residents also highlighted the need for a proper bridge linking Lethabong and Lethabong Gardens.

“We cannot cross the river when it rains because the makeshift bridge is flooded. A proper bridge and roads to Lethabong Gardens are needed,” Zenzile said.

Bus driver General Mlangeni expressed frustration with local government, saying the ANC was failing the people by neglecting basic infrastructure.

“I am a bus driver. The roads in North West are bad. I am not referring to the roads in Lethabong only. I can tell you even in Morokweng the roads are bad. Fix the roads and provide water. The people will be happy,” he said.

Nzuza conceded that the roads in Lethabong were in a poor state.

“There are potholes on this road,” he said, pointing to Thabo Mokhaba Drive near the Benjamin Tause Community Hall, where the community meeting was held.

He was accompanied by Oageng Molapisi, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in North West, who confirmed plans to repair key infrastructure.

“The MEC for Roads and Public Works in North West, Sempe Elizabeth Mokua, has appointed a consultant for the repair of the road linking Lethabong and Rustenburg,” Molapisi said. The road currently has potholes stretching for an estimated 10 km, delaying travel by almost 30 minutes.

Residents also raised concerns about basic sanitation. Branco Mokoena highlighted problems at Annah Legwale Clinic.

“I had a running stomach. I went to the clinic to use the toilet only to find out they were not working. I had to go to nearby houses to ask for a toilet,” he said.

An elderly woman agreed, recounting her ordeal.

“I came to the community hall. I was told the toilets were not working because there is no water. I ended up relieving myself behind the hall,” she said.

Molapisi confirmed that the issue had been reported to Health MEC Sello Lehari, who attributed the problem to a malfunctioning sewer system at the clinic.

“We have been in contact with the relevant MEC, and the problem will be solved this week,” Molapisi said.

Residents’ complaints also included incomplete low-cost housing, commonly referred to as RDP houses. Molapisi assured the community that the ANC would return to Lethabong before the end of January to report on progress.