MBOMBELA – It appears as if there are mixed emotions and confusion regarding the proposed merger of the Umjindi and Mbombela municipalities.
Last week during a municipal demarcation board (MDB) hearing where citizens and stakeholders were given a chance to raise their concerns regarding the merger, emotions ran very high with fights starting between people who are for, and against the merger.
Although MDB representative, Ms Shivon Wiggins, explained that views expressed during the hearing and those submitted in writing were not final, but would be considered as determining factors in the final decision, the hearing turned into a war of words.
“We have no political affiliations. Our main purpose is to obtain the views from the public in order to assist us in either amalgamating the two municipalities or keeping them as separate entities,” said Wiggins.
She further explained that the proposal was suggested as per call by the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Mr Pravin Gordhan’s back-to-basics plan which would see dysfunctional municipalities amalgamating with better ones.
“In this case, Mbombela was found to be dysfunctional with Umjindi being better. Both need to draw from each other’s strength,” added Wiggins assuring the locals that the merger was not aimed at forcing the two municipalities together.
“Should this merger be approved, both municipalities will be disestablished and one established with a new name. It’s not like Mbombela will swallow up Umjindi as others see it,” she added.
A number of ANC supporters who arrived for the hearing at Ehlanzeni District Municipality dressed in the party’s attire and chanted, “Umjindi wami ngizowu bamba ngesandla ngiyongena nawo ekhaya eMbombela.” (I will take my Umjindi by the hand and enter with it in Mbombela).
They told Mpumalanga News that they were happy with the proposal of the merger which they thought would bring improvement in both municipalities.
According to Mr Bheki Zulu, who called himself a citizen of the new municipality, the two municipalities joined together, would see both sharing in the economy housed by each.
“Just look at the mines in Umjindi and resources like the university in Mbombela. Umjindi wanted to house other faculties of the university, but once we are one, that will be our university,” he said.
What irked most of the people who were against the merger was that according to them, Mbombela was failing to stand on its own and the merger would just bring a lot of unrest.
“There have been many service-delivery protests by locals who are not happy about Mbombela and now we must be part of it. No ways!” said Ms Idah Shongwe.
The DA, which was also against the merger, said it would make another submission to the MDB to appeal to Gordhan to retract, or at least postpone the proposed amalgamations.
EFF also made negative comments about the proposal. They also objected to the amalgamation.
