Over 300 residents from Kgabalatsane, Itireleng, Kagisanong, and Nkandla, under Madibeng Local Municipality, North West, near the Gauteng border, took to the streets in protest over electricity and water outages, as well as the terrible condition of their roads. Protesters marched towards Ward 10 Councillor Fenky Phaloane's home, demanding he address them and step down. When they were told he was hiding in a nearby house, the councillor refused, claiming he was afraid for his life. The protesters hurled insults and eventually left. Itireleng Village has had a series of electricity blackouts since last year, and the village has been without tap water for almost three months.
Last year, over 200 people from Itireleng and surrounding areas blocked roads with burning tyres and rubble in protest over water outages. Kagisanong, an informal settlement with over 400 households, was established in 2006. Residents believe that Eskom stole power from Kgabalatsane Village in 2015, and they are desperate for the truth and information on when they will receive electricity and water. The municipality is engaging with Eskom and the City of Tshwane for water.
