• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home South Africa

Pomfret villagers refuse to relocate

18 December 2018, 9:23 PM  |
Nicolene Smalman Nicolene Smalman |  @SABCNews
Government have identified Tosca, Vryburg and Mahikeng, for relocation .

Government have identified Tosca, Vryburg and Mahikeng, for relocation .

Image: SABC News

Government have identified Tosca, Vryburg and Mahikeng, for relocation .

Pomfret villagers in the North West are refusing relocation to more habitable areas. This is despite possible health risks due to asbestos mining in the area decades ago.

Government’s attempts to relocate them were halted with a court interdict in 2012.

With no electricity, health facilities or police station, they want government to restore this dilapidated town to its former glory. Six years later officials are still at loggerheads with human rights lawyers to find a solution.

Pomfret is a ghost town but home to 328 households. Mainly Angolan war veterans of the former 32 Battalion. Having fought alongside the apartheid government, they were relocated here in 1989.

Once a proud military base camp, boasting state of the art facilities but now it’s mainly ruins.

“Since we arrived here in 1989, the old government was treating us very nicely. So since we started getting these new politicians that started entering the community they started taking out the services like clinics. And you know the clinic is very far now. You have to have to go to Morokweng or Ganyesa”, says a war veteran that didn’t want to be named.

Government have identified Tosca, Vryburg and Mahikeng, for relocation but residents don’t want to leave.

“We want the government to come and rebuild the place. Bring back the services we have lost. This is our home, this is where we are staying. So we are asking them to help us and bring back the services to our community,” says the war veteran.

“We want to stay right here. We have siblings here at school, and we like it,” says Pomfret  resident, Thabang Thethwe.

The Premier says replacing infrastructure and reconnecting electricity, would cost millions which should rather be used for relocation. It added that the Department of Health, provides mobile health services to Pomfret
and that a local Community Policing Forum, will soon be activated.

Share article
Tags: PomfretThe North WestRelocation
Previous Post

It’s a year into Ramaphosa’s leadership as ANC president

Next Post

Kabila party HQ ‘ransacked’, one shot dead in DR Congo vote demo

Related Posts

Barbados Prime Minister and Minister for National Security and the Civil Service Mia Amor Mottley speaks at the UN General Assembly 76th session General Debate in UN General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2021. John Angelillo/Pool via REUTERS

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley to deliver the 20th Nelson Mandela Lecture

1 July 2022, 9:49 PM
File image: A person is seen wearing a Sadtu jacket at a gathering.

Sadtu in Mpumalanga says ongoing rolling blackouts have negative impact on winter classes programme

1 July 2022, 8:04 PM
South African Police Services logo.

Mahikeng community leader says kidnapping cases are often not taken seriously by police

1 July 2022, 7:01 PM

VIDEO | Announcement on Mandela Day 2022

1 July 2022, 6:06 PM
Police barrier with police lights in the background.

Police close investigation into Enyobeni tavern tragedy

1 July 2022, 5:18 PM
SABC building in Auckland Park.

The process to fill looming vacancies on the SABC Board is on course

1 July 2022, 4:52 PM
Next Post
President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabila

Kabila party HQ 'ransacked', one shot dead in DR Congo vote demo

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • Limpopo residents concerned about illegal harvesting of the Matumi tree
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended its position that it is up to each international sports body to set their own rules for transgender athletes' inclusion following FINA's decision.
  • Sport

Restrictions on transgender athletes violate Olympic Charter – FIMS chief


The new US aid is meant to bolster Kyiv as it confronts heavy pounding by Russian artillery.
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

US sending Ukraine two surface-to-air missile systems – Pentagon


The first two bronzes, one depicting the head of a king, the other showing a king and his four attendants, will be taken back personally by Nigerian Foreign Minister Zubairu Dada and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed, who were present at the ceremony.
  • Africa

Germany hands first of Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria


Ukrainian soldiers wave from their tank, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in the village of Kolychivka, outside Chernihiv, Ukraine, April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

After Snake Island retreat, Russian missile attack kills 21 near Ukraine’s Odesa


Barbados Prime Minister and Minister for National Security and the Civil Service Mia Amor Mottley speaks at the UN General Assembly 76th session General Debate in UN General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2021. John Angelillo/Pool via REUTERS
  • South Africa

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley to deliver the 20th Nelson Mandela Lecture


A man holds a fuel nozzle at a petrol station.
  • Business

Motorists brace for another fuel hike


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous It’s a year into Ramaphosa’s leadership as ANC president
Next Kabila party HQ ‘ransacked’, one shot dead in DR Congo vote demo