Mafikeng - MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affair, Gordon Kegakilwe, has condemned the incidents of violence and destruction of property by the residents of Seweding village in the Mafikeng Local Municipality.
Angry protesters attempted to set alight the house of a local councilor, Tsholo Mohulatsi, on Tuesday, accusing her of failing to address issues of service delivery in the township, including the lack of roads, high-mast lights and RDP housing.
They also burned tyres, barricaded the road passing through the village with stones and tree branches. Police were forced to use teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters who in turn threw stones back at the police.
Some residents held up placards demanding that Mohulatsi step down as Ward 14 councilor.
Police arrested 21 people on charges of public violence. They are expected to appear in the Molopo Magistrate Court on Wednesday.
The MEC urged the community not to blame councilors for the poor service delivery in the area.
"They are not responsibility for services," he said, adding that he would meet with community leaders next Monday to address residents' grievances.
He also urged community members in various municipalities across the North West to take advantage of various public participation platforms in their localities to ensure their active contribution in the roll out of services to their communities.
Kegakilwe said the department would partner with stakeholders to ensure the creation of better lives.
"We want to ensure that we put a collective effort in creating an accountable government that will produce results for our people," he added.
