Khutsong residents have threatened to attack ANC dissidents if they come to the area, the Merafong Demarcation Forum said on Wednesday.

"They are not welcome here, if they come they would be attacked physically. This is something we are prepared to die for as residents," said spokesperson Jomo Mogale.

Mogale accused former African National Congress chairperson Terror Lekota of not having listened to Khutsong residents' objections to being incorporated into the North West.

"Terror came here during the protests and threatened to release soldiers on us. We will do the same thing to him. He won't even enter Merafong."

Khutsong is part of the Merafong Municipality, on Gauteng's West Rand.

Former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa was accused of having supported the move.

"Shilowa did nothing to stop the move, instead he supported it. We went to his office several times but he never came to speak to us. He sent junior staff and never responded to our grievances."

Spokesperson for the upcoming convention, organised by Lekota, Mbulelo Ncedana could not immediately comment.

Khutsong residents were angered about their incorporation into the North West — not only because they believed Gauteng could offer them better services, but because they felt they had not been properly consulted before the demarcation went through Parliament.

Residents rioted, shut schools down and boycotted the 2006 local government elections. Children had to be bussed to other areas to keep up with their schooling.

Sapa