Police kept a close watch on Khutsong residents as they gathered on Monday for a public meeting on the redemarcation of the Merafong municipality from Gauteng to North West.
Armed police in and around Khutsong Stadium monitored a crowd of about 500 residents who sang and danced while they waited for the meeting to begin.
Police also kept an eye on the situation from a helicopter and armoured vehicles.
The National Council of Provinces passed legislation last week allowing the redemarcation of municipalities.
Khutsong residents have vowed to demonstrate until they are told their municipality will remain part of Gauteng.
”We won’t go to North West. If Khutsong goes to North West, we will make sure that there are no elections next year,” threatened Julius Mngomezulu (39).
Another resident, Boitumelo Phagi (21), said she wanted reasons for the demarcations. She expected answers from Monday’s meeting about why the community is being moved into the North West.
”The people from Khutsong don’t want to be a part of North West. In Potchefstroom, there is apartheid … In GP [Gauteng] it’s sharp, there are opportunities here,” added Dipuo Matlae (24), who was hit on her thigh by a rubber bullet on Wednesday.
Khutsong residents have been protesting since November against the proposed redemarcation, arguing that Gauteng is wealthier and better able to provide services.
Last week, 71 people were arrested for public violence when residents went on the rampage, burning buildings and throwing stones at the police in the township near Carletonville. — Sapa