Maremeni is one of more than 70 people who marched about 4km from Xinkuwani village to the Bokisi traditional council office, about 30km from Louis Trichardt, to hand over a list of demands to Makhado municipality mayor Dorcus Mboyi. Key among these demands is electricity.
Eddie Matalala, one of the community leaders, said crime is rife in the village especially at night because criminals take advantage of the dark environment. Robert Magada of Makhado municipality acknowledged that the villagers have waited a long time for electricity to be installed. He said that although the villagers are living on municipal land, Eskom is responsible for electrifying the village, but the municipality has asked Eskom to allow the municipality to do it.
Sarah Baloyi, another resident, said that she is unemployed and cannot afford to buy paraffin for cooking, but going out to fetch wood from the bush is frightening.