Editor –
While many of us within the broad uThukela area of jurisdiction – and specifically within the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality, Okhahlamba Local Municipality and Alfred Duma Local Municipality areas of jurisdiction – have not been personally infected with the broadly-publicised coronavirus (Covid-19), we can’t think of any of us who have not been affected by this pandemic in one way or the other.
The effect is even huge in almost all businesses within our municipalities. We appreciate the support shown by most businesses during the lockdown, as declared by the president in March 2020.
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Most businesses came forth to assist communities-in-need within all three municipalities with food parcels. However, it cannot be denied that the support that was offered through the municipalities has somehow been politicised by top municipal politicians and management who wanted to score their political goals, while people out there were suffering.
Some councillors were even found stealing Jojo tanks and food parcels meant for the poor.
We, however, appreciate your support and social responsibility shown during these trying times.
It is acknowledged that you gave back to the community while you were not trading as normal and within vastly-reduced profit margins.
As the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), we call upon all three municipalities and uThukela District Municipality to partner with businesses, knowing that they did not operate at any profit during the lockdown. Please support all local businesses by granting them rates rebates and a related services tariffs break for at least three months so as to avert the negative economic impact the Covid-19 lockdown might have on them.
As the IFP, we have submitted and shall continue to lobby for a rates and related services break for the next three months, as from the month of May.
Businesses are called upon to submit their calls and submissions to municipal managers and political leadership for rates and other services rebates, as it is known that you have not made any profit but were able to donate to poor citizens during the lockdown.
The uThukela District is still unable to render its water services effectively, as there are still communities without water.
Meanwhile, let us adhere to the call for hygiene, social distancing and other protocols during all levels of lockdown.
We, as the IFP, hope you will be safe and healthy, and that we will see one another after level 1 lockdown. It is further requested that the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) must communicate with ward councillors when going to communities to ensure that food parcels are given to the qualifying people, other than politically-aligned people. And also to review the issue of the pension pay-out process to curb the long lines and stampedes, which perpetuate the exposure to Covid 19.
As the IFP, we lobby the Department of Home Affairs to partner with community leaders to ensure that people without Identity Documents are given such so that people can access grants to assist them in this time of need.
In the spirit of UBUNTU BOTHO (our founding principles), we can defeat this virus.
Mbuzeleni Mkhize (IFP uThukela District chairperson)
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