ANGRY residents of Ledig Village near Rustenburg, North West, took to the streets to voice their frustrations on Saturday, 6 August.
The protesters barricaded the R556 between Ledig and Sun City with burning tyres and stones.
The protest is over allegations of possible evictions and the demolition of houses at the new stands in Kagiso 2.
It’s alleged that the residents occupied the land illegally.
Resident Solly Mogale said they needed answers because they have spent a lot of money building their homes.
Solly called on the government to intervene.
He said they bought the stands and were fighting for what rightfully belonged to them.
Residents accused local entrepreneur Ben Gumbi of claiming the land belongs to him.
Chairman of the business forum in Ledig Ben Gumbi said the land is secured for a community development project.
“People were warned not to build,” he said.
He said there are people who are illegally selling the land.
Gumbi said the project that’s set to start on the land is a R3,2 billion project.
“We can’t deny the community job opportunities. Most people who stay there are not locals. The community is, however, the majority shareholder in the project.”
He said residents were served letters informing them that they are illegally squatting.
“Through the law, the people residing there will be removed,” he said.
Spokesman for the kgosi’s office Disele Phologane said the people who live at Kagiso 2 were born in Ledig.
As a result of being independent, they are now moving away from their parents’ homes to find their own stands.
Phologane said these people have an agreement with the office of the kgosi as per customs and proper administration processes were followed.
He said the land is owned by Kgosi Solomon Mphuphuthe Monnakgotla on behalf of the community.
