The residents of Waterwal township outside Elim raised their concerns with regard to service delivery in their area during a peaceful march that was held in Louis Trichardt last Friday.

Led by the South African Civic Organisation (Sanco), residents handed over a memorandum with their concerns to Makhado Mayor Cllr Mavhungu Luruli.

In the memorandum, residents demand the "immediate scrapping of all our debts, normalisation of water supply, establishment of a new graveyard," and that the roads in the area "be rehabilitated, as we are living in a sloppy area."

The residents also demand the extension of their township, a community hall, the fitting of Apollo lights "to reduce crime" as well as the refurbishment of the stadium. They also demand the creation of jobs. "As Sanco, we demand the normalisation of the water supply. Water is a source of life and a basic right," said the chairperson of Waterval Sanco, Mr Thomas Chauke.

He added that they believed that their demands should be addressed "in order to avoid rolling protest marches, until our demands are taken seriously. We need answers in black and white within 14 days. If you fail to commit yourself, you will face the full might of Sanco," he threatened.

The memorandum was handed to the mayor by the regional organising secretary of Sanco, Mr David Makananise.

Some residents of the nearby Vleifontein township, who also protested outside the municipality at the same time that Sanco was handing over the memorandum, allege that Sanco was being used to plot against the mayor. They also held placards, some of which read: "Hands off our mayor", "Ludere is Malema's milk boy", and "viva Tshikalange, viva".

Luruli said that the residents of Waterval and Sanco should have contacted their ward councillor before engaging in a march. "I am also suprised why Sanco is engaging in a march as they had approached me, saying that if ever there was a problem in the area,  we would work together to address it," she said.

She added that there was no way that the municipality could scrap the residents' debt. "We promise to refurbish the streets, provided you pay your debt. Some of the services have already been rendered to you," Luruli told residents.

She appealed to residents to pay for the services, so that the municipality can address the problem of potholes.