EFF present a ‘menu’ of demands

A litany of demands was made when members of the EFF, clad in their traditional red tops, marched on the municipality.
Mayor Thulani Mahaye bore the brunt of their anger and insulting songs were sang against him and he was also accused of receiving ‘a weekly sheep as a gift’ (a claim he strongly rejects).
The march was led by Bheki Ngobese – a former Councillor who once shared the Council Chamber with Mayor Mahaye until he quit the ANC.
The memorandum which they presented included among other items:
* a demand that multi-purpose centres be built in Craigside and Sithembile as the MEC of Economic Affairs and Tourism promised 12 years ago.
* Halls to be built in Wasbank, Forestdale and Craigside.
* Only ANC ‘cadres’ have benefitted from RDP housing in Sibongile and Sithembile and that the Department of Human Settlement should probe the extension 19 housing list.

* An overhead bridge should be erected for Craigside learners who have to cross the Vryheid road to attend school at Dundee Secondary.
* Old houses in Sibongile, Sithembile, Craigside and Forestdale be renovated and the road, D114 to the R68, be tarred.
*Mayor Mahaye had promised all residents that by 2015 all wards would have electricity.
According to the EFF, the Mayor also promised that new pit latrines would be built or else be replaced by mobile toilets. This includes on farms.
* Libraries and crèches should be built in Forestdale, Sithembile, Wasbank, Craigside and Stratford farm.
* There should be a proper policy to award municipal-sponsored bursaries.
* An investigation should be done to remove unqualified personnel at the municipality.
* A water tank provided by the Umzinyathi District Municipality in Wasbank, has been ‘taken over’ by a family who are ANC members. The tank should be removed, the memorandum demanded.
* The case of the shooting to death of Simo Radebe, during a recent protest on land near the museum, should be speeded up.
The Council was given 14 days to respond to their demands.