WITH service delivery protests marring the run-up to the elections at uMhlathuze, affected community members are reportedly ‘turning away’ contractors appointed to provide essential services.
At Tuesday’s Executive Committee meeting in Richards Bay, councillors heard that service providers conducting sewer work were not ‘well-received’ at Mandlazini – the scene of violent protests on the eve of the elections.
While community concerns were taken into consideration, City Mayor Elphas Mbatha said communities had to be educated about accepting contractors appointed to carry out important work.
‘We condemn this action as well as the violent protest in which the community hall at Mandlazini was torched. Expensive equipment including sewing machines donated by uThungulu District Mayor Thembeka Mchunu, were burnt.
‘Before the march, contractors were told that if they did not stop their work, there would be strike action. Two days later, the community protested,’ said Mbatha.
The Mayor said the situation, very similar to violent riots in Alexandra, was used as an electioneering tool to ‘garner votes’.
‘In April, the protestors refused to hand over their memorandum to the municipality and preferred that the district handle the matter. The main problem was compensation for land claims.
‘The community wanted the Ward Councillor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Speaker removed from the Trust committee. The Trust document is registered with the High Court.
‘The Director General of Rural Development was disappointed with the incidents on 6 May and it was difficult to meet with the community when they were burning down government property. The department has now resolved to speak to the Land Claims Committee in Mandlazini,’ Mbatha said.
Solution
Cllr Dumisani Nxumalo said it was important that Council looked at ways of finding a solution.
‘We need to sit down and carefully look at the memorandum forwarded by the community to prevent another community torching.’
Cllr PN Kwela said the different political parties were available to help resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, police have requested that the municipality provide a formal statement and list of damages incurred as a result of the protest.
Forty-five community members, who are still being held in custody, will appear at the Richards Bay SAP on Thursday (today) for a formal bail application.
Twenty-three suspects face charges of public violence, arson and malicious damage to property while 22 others are up on charges of public violence.
‘No meetings are being held with the community while the case continues,’ said Mbatha.
Read more on Mandlazini protest HERE
I AM SO ANGRY ABOUT THE BAD IDEA OF TORCHERING THE COMMUNITY HALL.THAT HALL WAS FOR US AS THE COMMUNITY,TO SAY ITS BECAUSE OF LACK OF SERVICE DELIVERY DOESNT CORRELATE WITH THIS ACT,ALSO AM WORRIED ABOUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WERE MISTAKENLY ARRESTED BY POLICE.COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE AWARENESSESS IS A RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY UMHLATHUZE MUNICIPALITY TO STOP THIS ACT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.FURTURE GENERATION STILL GOING TO USE THESE ALREADY EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE!!!