McKeed Kotlolo and Sapa

McKeed Kotlolo and Sapa

Like their counterparts in Khutsong, residents of Moutse are still firmly against the government's plan to incorporate them into another province.

Yesterday thousands of pupils took to the streets, barricading the main road and demanding the government reverse its decision to incorporate Moutse into Limpopo from Mpumalanga.

It has been the same story in Khutsong, where people are revolting against incorporation into North West from Gauteng. Teaching was to have started yesterday after assurances by Cosatu and South African Democratic Teacher's Union president Willie Madisha. But it did not happen.

"The pupils were here, but teaching did not take place," said Khutsong learners' forum president Sibusiso Kula, adding that the teachers had also arrived at schools.

In Moutse five residents of Elandsdoring were arrested on intimidation charges last week. Their bail application was yesterday postponed to today to give the police time to certify residential and employment details of the detainees.

Scores of residents toyi-toyied outside the Dennilton magistrates' court where the five were appearing demanding their immediate release.

Residents along the Loskop Dam road, where frequent clashes occurred between youth and police, yesterday accused the police of harassing them.

Ettie Mnisi of OR Tambo Section in Elandsdoring said: "I was taking a bath when police kicked my door open and started searching all over the house for children allegedly hiding in my house."

Nomsa Skosana said: "It is impossible for us to even go to the shops or send our children out because police stop us and force us to remove the barricades."

A teacher at OR Tambo Secondary School, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was the only one who reported for school.

He said pupils last reported for school on Thursday, but left the premises shortly after 8am.

A group of residents, mainly elderly women, told Sowetan: "We don't want Limpopo."