Talks between community leaders in Bekkersdal and representatives from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) fell flat on 16 January after residents walked out of a meeting aimed at finding a solution for the troubled Bekkersdal.
According to a representative from the Westonarai Concerned Residents Association Thabang Wesi, their demands are still the same.
“We are still calling for the suspension of the mayor and to date nothing has been done.
“We have met with all dignitaries from the ANC and we are told that they cannot make decisions to suspend Tundzi.
“My question is then why does the ANC keep sending people to address us knowing very well that they do not have the capacity to act.
“We are not fools,” says Wesi.
According to Director General at COGTA Vusi Madonsela, residents of the area tabled new demands, insisting that charges be dropped against their members who were involved in public violence and destruction to property.
They also demanded that the municipality stop appointing new employees and issuing bursaries.
“In order to move forward with the resolutions of the Bekkersdal matter, we must honestly and holistically engage without pushing for things that will only impede the process,” says Madonsela.
“As government, we were hoping that an investigation would commence after this consultation, but the process has now been slowed again by the new demands tabled.”
According to Acting Head Of Department of COGTA Itumeleng Mokate, he is disappointed about the delay in the process.
“Despite such disappointments, we remain committed to the process of the investigating the matter in order to find a way forward.
“We have, together with the community leaders, agreed to schedule another meeting in the next few days,” says Mokate.
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