It seems nobody wants to take responsibility for what was called “the biggest march in KwaDukuza history”.
More than 2000 people marched through the KwaDukuza CBD in a Solidarity Campaign on August 8, raising awareness around the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza Strip.
It was widely reported that the march was the brainchild of the Stanger Muslim Association (SMA), which then approached the KwaDukuza municipality for a financial contribution.
A sum of R80 000 was approved and designated at a council meeting on July 31, where only African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) councillor Nel Sewraj objected. Questions then arose of the march’s blatant pro-Palestine message and the decision by the local African National Congress (ANC) and KDM’s decision to support it.
Despite a council item stating otherwise, SMA public relations officer Shain Manjoo insisted the march had been initiated by KDM, following a direct request from mayor Ricardo Mthembu.
He said the SMA was therefore not involved with related costs.
“A budget was presented to council which at the time included advertising and transport costs. It was later decided by the committee not to hire buses but to mobilise people within close proximity of the town. The costs therefore should be considerably lower with advertising in local newspapers making up the bulk of the cost.”
In the item, tabled on July 31, it states that meetings were held between the SMA, KDM and other representatives, including “Muslims, Christians, COSATU, SANCO, the BDS and Palestinian Solidarity Alliance, ANC, the Dolphin Coast Hospice and local women’s circles”.
Letters of invitation to stakeholders were sent from the office of the mayor. The R80 000 was to be spent on “advertising, printing of flyers and posters and distribution”.
The item, submitted by communications director Sifiso Zulu, requested posters, placards, banners, flyers, a gazebo and a sound system be provided by KDM. It also suggests that “flyers with information regarding material assistance be distributed at the march”.
Manjoo said the strong objection by the ACDP was surprising, considering Palestinian Christians are also being persecuted in Israel.
“As an association, we will continue showing our solidarity with humanitarian rights issues and our contempt of such violations. And we will continue treating all people with kindness and generosity in seeking a just and equitable world order built on love and peace.”
Speaking to the Courier ACDP councillor Nel Sewraj said someone is not telling the truth.
“If KDM has lied and concealed details about this matter, it would seriously damage the municipality’s credibility. Ratepayers will blame KDM for misusing public funds, municipal officials and EXCO for corruption, and the mayor for attempting to improve his ratings with the Muslim community. If the SMA has lied, then they put their veracity as a religious organisation at stake.”
A request for comment from the office of mayor Mthembu was unanswered at the time of going to press.
