Protesters sang pro-Gauteng songs as they arrived at a public hearing about provincial boundary demarcations in Carletonville on Friday.
They had come to town by bus from nearby Khutsong, where the issue has been the focus of recent violent protest.
The Gauteng legislature has scheduled public hearings on the matter on Friday.
A Bill, which deals with cross-border municipalities, was recently passed by the National Assembly and referred to the National Council of Provinces. It proposes that some councils in Merafong — under which Khutsong falls — be transferred to the North West province.
Among the protesters was the Young Communist League’s (YCL) branch secretary for Khutsong, Thabo Mlambo, who said: ”We want one outcome to the meeting. That is to stay in Gauteng.”
Kgaile Senyane, who had been hit by rubber bullets during an earlier protest, said Khutsong residents believe they have contributed to the buying power of Gauteng and are entitled to be beneficiaries of the province’s services.
”When the times around here were doing well, we were part of Gauteng. Now that they are in decline, we are told to go to the North West.”
He and his companions also compared the transport cost of R120 one-way by taxi to the North West capital, Mafikeng, with R60 to centres in Gauteng.
”All our business and political matters are referred to Gauteng. It will cost a lot more to go to Mafikeng,” said Senyane.
He said he would present the YCL standpoint at the hearing. — Sapa