RDP houses to be built in Boiketlong
Mofokeng clearly stated he will not get involved in the ongoing criminal case against the “Boiketlong Four”: “As a mayor I don’t have powers to intervene in an ongoing case.”
BOIKETLONG. – The 10-year old protest action by residents of Boiketlong informal settlement has finally yielded positive results.
The land was finally approved for development, giving the Human Settlements department in the province a go-ahead to start with the construction of RDP houses.
These latest developments were brought to the people of Boiketlong by Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Mayor Simon Mofokeng who addressed a public meeting on Sunday.
It was in this public gathering that Sipho Manganyi, a member of the “Boiketlong Four”, stood up and pleaded with Mofokeng to scrap a case opened against community leaders in May 2013.
“I spent seven months in Groenpunt prison for something that I didn’t do. Please go and drop that case immediately my brother, you’ve got that power,” he pleaded with Mayor Mofokeng.
The “Boiketlong four” became popular after community leaders were accused of burning down the home of local councillor Maselloane Nthebe during a violent service delivery protest.
The four were arrested, charged with arson, assault and malicious damage to property.
One of the accused fled and remains a fugitive who is wanted by the police. The remaining three were released from prison last year after a high court ruling granted them leave to appeal the case.
Urging the Mayor to make a promise to his plea, Sipho said: “Make a promise to the Boiketlong people that this case will be dropped at no cost, we had to ask people of Boiketlong who are not working to make contributions so we pay the lawyers,” he said.
Sipho told the public meeting that the “Boiketlong Four” owe thousands in unpaid legal fees.
Mofokeng clearly stated he will not get involved in the ongoing criminal case against the “Boiketlong Four”: “As a mayor I don’t have powers to intervene in an ongoing case.”
Regarding the issues of housing in the area, Mofokeng used the meeting to inform Boiketlong residents that a thousand RDP houses are on the cards for Extensions 30, 31 and 32.
“Contractors will be on site before the end of the February.” Mofokeng concludes.
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