In the early hours of this morning the Municipality received notification that there was a protest by some residents in the KwaNdengezi area. Roads were blockaded and there was damage inflicted on Municipal property. A team of officials was dispatched to meet with protesters and they were later joined by the Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo who addressed the residents.
The Mayor urged the community to be patient and await the outcome of the consultation process that is already taking place between the Mayor’s Office and representatives of the community. A meeting to that effect was held last week after the community had delivered a memorandum of grievances to the Office of the Mayor and it was agreed that a follow up meeting will be held in two weeks.
“I was surprised to get reports that there was a protest this morning given the fact that we met with representatives of the community last week and we were still busy organizing the follow up meeting as per our agreement,” said Mayor Nxumalo.
“Nevertheless I addressed the protesters and told them about this consultation process. I urged them to give this process a chance because I believe that the matters they are raising can be resolved. In that meeting I will bring along the Heads of different Municipal Units that are affected so that they can provide answers directly to the community.”
The Mayor condemned the destruction of Municipal property by some of the protesters. Three Municipal vehicles were torched and the Sizakala Centre Offices were vandalized with a number of items stolen.
“We want to condemn the misbehaviour by some elements within the community who destroyed and stole Municipal property, exploiting genuine grievances by the community. We want to warn the community that such behaviour cannot be tolerated. No matter how angry you are that does not give you the right to destroy people’s property. Police will deal with the criminal matters,” he said.
Nxumalo said the demand by the community for the removal of their local ward councillor was outside of the Municipality’s jurisdiction and the matter will be referred to the ANC, as the councillor was deployed by the political party.
