A burning society

A burning society. photos: Palesa Mohlamme

Members of the African National Congress (ANC) from Molapo organised a protest against the Councillor of ward 34, Mr. Shimmane Motlamme.  Out of frustration and anger residents expressed that the community does not benefit from economic opportunities in the township. They claimed the people who mostly benefit from projects at ward 34 are the people who reside outside ward. One of the issues raised by community members is corruption, maladministration and nepotism.

Residents barricaded the streets with burning tyres and stones blocking cars to enter.  But you know such behavior must be suppressed quickly before it blows out of proportion, right?. The police made a grand entrance with a helicopter monitoring around the area and cars of SAPS and Metro Police.  Then I realized how easily intimidated the residents were,  they were smooth talked by a so called “deploy from the regional office” sent by the Councillor. 

Angry residents before the police came.

Mind you me, there was supposed to be a community meeting arranged by the Councillor but when he heard that shit is real, he decided to bring another poker face as a negotiator. There was not much of negotiation though because we know how we are so hungry for power and influence. People are always looking out for themselves yet they still pretend to represent your views and working for the people. The poker face exchanged numbers with the so called community leaders and till today as I write to you that nothing has been done about the community’s concerns. What a waste of petrol and matches.

Smooth talker getting the residents attention.

At the same time, candidates for the local elections are said to be appointed by the internals of the organisation and not the community.  You know, I have registered for the local elections but I realized afterwards that what is the point of voting while the whole system itself is a problem. Are we really solving the problem by voting or are we choosing to work 40 hours a week just to put bread and butter on the table. Basic food on the table guys! Its horrific when you think about it. 

Police monitoring the area.

What is the point of voting because we will still have greedy people leading us, perhaps there are other realistic ways to look at it. Most people who are into your community forums and what not, have showed me that they are only looking out for themselves. They want to make people to step down from their comfortable positions because they want the same power, glory and greed.  It’s just a continuous pattern. Who am I to judge bathong! But come to think of it we allow such things to happen to us, especially the older generation. They guard and protect their own monster, hence we still have Jacob Zuma as president.  #MishMash