The regional director (RD) for Region E, Makgafela Thaba, issued the municipality’s official response to the protest which came to their doorstep on Daisy Street from Alexandra.
The RD’s feedback, supplied on July 17, follows the events on July 4, which were reported on the front page [week ending July 12], in an article titled: Residents call for an investigation into nepotism and corruption.
Thaba emphasised that Region E remains committed to and willing to, investigate the allegations levelled against any official on any regional project, subject to sufficient evidence being provided to the Region.
“I have written to the We Care Neighbourhood Clean-up volunteers, to come forward with evidence covering all respective areas outlined in their memorandum to substantiate their claims in line with the City’s legal policies,” Thaba said. “I am also open to engaging the protestors further on the matter, and, as a result, have extended an invitation for further engagement in [an] attempt to reach a shared understanding, and resolve the matter.”
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Thaba said that this approach will assist the office of the RD to determine sufficient grounds for concern to initiate internal institutional processes for a preliminary investigation. This strategy is expected to lead to a full-scale investigation, should the allegations and evidence be substantiated.
Furthermore, Thaba contextualised the block-by-block clean-up initiative as falling within the ‘Ke Kasi Ya Rona’ (It’s our neighbourhood) programme, which takes place in Alexandra, and neighbouring wards within Region E.
“‘Ke Kasi Ya Rona’ is a clean-up programme that is designed to be driven and sustained by the community,” Thaba said. “This volunteer-driven programme is designed to restore the pride and dignity of the community of Alexandra by creating a safe, healthy, and hygienic environment through collaborative and partnership efforts; a vision we remain committed to.”
Thaba concluded by reaffirming Region E’s commitment to being a transparent, responsive, and service-orientated government.
“The City has continually made an undertaking to continue to deal decisively with corruption and malfeasance, and where wrongdoing is uncovered, appropriate action will be taken, without prejudice,” Thaba closed.
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