The violent protests in North West are worrying, especially because they seem to resemble those of the apartheid era when protestors stoned buildings and stole from shops.

The violent protests in North West are worrying, especially because they seem to resemble those of the apartheid era when protestors stoned buildings and stole from shops.

Reported violence in Khutsong, Boitumelong and Ikageng are actually disturbing and undermining our hard-earned democracy.

Though I sympathise with the people of these areas, I do not condone the criminal activities that some of them engage in, the looting of shops and other buildings as well the burning of houses belonging to councillors is and will never be the solution to their problems.

I therefore wish to plead with North West Premier Edna Molewa and the MEC for local government and housing to visit these areas and establish why people are so angry.

Molewa's speech when she opened the provincial legislature was very clear as far as service delivery is concerned. Some of us can attest that the province is generally doing well despite the challenges it faces.

My take is that these protests are sparked by lazy and visionless officials in these municipalities. Maybe councillors in those areas should be probed. In most instances, the incompetence of officials and dishonest councillors leads to municipalities not delivering on their mandates.

They should be dismissed and corrupt councillors fired.

Patrick Morathi, Mothotlung