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Angry residents threaten imbizos

Elisha Molefe

Elisha Molefe

It could be a case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire when a North West cabinet delegation, led by Premier Edna Molewa, pictured, holds an imbizo in Fouchville in the Merafong municipality today.

The North West imbizos, part of the government's delivery focus week, have been marred by disruptive incidents since they started last week.

A group of youths in Lebaleng Township in Makwassie disrupted a visit by Communications Deputy Minister Radhakrishna Padayachee while he was speaking last week and the imbizo had to be cancelled because of their unruly behaviour.

The same scenario was averted at Boikhutso Township near Lichtenburg when youths accused Molewa and her entourage of not giving them enough time to pose questions.

A visibly frustrated Mafetole Kobedi, a resident from Bessiesvlei, was apprehended by police when he tried to ascend the stage where dignitaries were seated.

"We want to be heard and you deny us that right," Kobedi shouted.

Angry residents vowed that they would fight to the bitter end if Kobedi was arrested, but the police released him with a warning.

Both the provincial cabinet imbizo in Fouchville and a meeting between education officials and teachers in Merafong are expected to be disrupted by residents opposed to the incorporation of the area into North West.

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