The Westonaria Local Municipality has cancelled a press conference, to which they had invited journalists from numerous local and national publications, an hour after it was supposed to have begun.
Journalists showed up early to the press conference, which was scheduled to begin at 9am, and was left to wait for just over an hour, only to be informed by Westonaria municipal spokesperson, Kgabane Madiehe, that the press conference was cancelled.
According to Herald Journalist, Mbali Mathebula, they were waiting in the boardroom in the Mayor’s office, when Westonaria Mayor, Nonkoliso Tundzi and West Rand District Mayor, Mpho Nawa appeared.
Tundzi called Madiehe over and held a brief discussion with him, after which he informed journalists that they had travelled to Westonaria in vain.
No explanation was given for the cancellation.
This comes at a time when the Westonaria Local Municipality is under severe pressure from the community, with violent service delivery protests and allegations of nepotism and fraud being at the order of the day.
“I was very upset when the press conference was cancelled,” says Mathebula.
“I don’t have the time to drive all the way to the municipality, just to wait for over an hour before being told my appointment has been cancelled.
“It is totally ridiculous.”
The Herald has sent questions to the Westonaria Local Municipality about the reasons for the cancellation, but no answers have been forthcoming by the time of publishing.
