Hundreds of Damonsville residents on Monday locked the municipal building, demanding answers over a stalled electrification project in Damonsville from mayor Douglas Maimane and officials.

Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane.

Municipal officials and staff had to escape through the underground parking lot.
The residents protested after a contractor hired to install electricity in the area had not been on site for months since his appointment. They demanded answers from mayor Douglas Maimane.
The electrification project has been one of the reasons for the suspension of the current municipal manager, Quiet Kgatla, recently. Kgatla appointed the current contractor after the previous contractor abandoned the project, and a violent protest ensued. Kgatla was accused of not following tender procedures and subsequently suspended by the ANC provincial leadership.
However, the municipal council, led by Maimane, refused to implement the suspension.
The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs launched a Section 106 investigation into allegations of corruption and maladministration within the municipality. The investigation included the Damonsville electrification tender.
Madibeng Municipality spokesperson Tumelo Tshbalala said that the municipal management met with the community on Wednesday. “A follow-up meeting will be held next week Tuesday”