Residents lock up mayor, staff

Staff and senior officials had to escape through the underground parking yesterday after more than 200 Brits residents entered the Madibeng municipal building in Brits and locked it.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

The residents of Damonsville protested after a contractor, hired to install electricity in 300 houses in the area, has not been on site for four months since his appointment. They demanded answers from councillors, including mayor Douglas Maimane.

The unnamed contractor was appointed to electrify the households, valued at R25 million. The amount has since escalated from the original R11 million budget.

The project has been mired in controversy.

Municipal manager Quiet Kgatla was suspended by council recently after a contractor was appointed allegedly without going through the tender process.