UPDATE: Community puts faith in District Mayor
District Mayor directs Mandlanzini protest issues
PHOTO: Dave Savides
THE Mandlanzini community has put their trust in district mayor Thembeka Mchunu to resolve the issues which led to the blockade of Birdswood on Friday morning.
At a crowded meeting held on Sunday at the community hall, chaired by City of uMhlathuze speaker, Vuseni Mnqayi, angry residents were only pacified when Mchunu promised to address their numerous service delivery issues.
Although Mandlanzini falls within Ward 4 of the City, residents forcefully expressed lack of faith and trust in the City, who were also represented by mayor Elphas Mbatha, deputy mayor Zethu Gumbi, municipal manager Dr Nhlanhla Sibeko and councillor NM Madondo.
‘If mayor Mchunu was not here, the people would have been very upset; only her good negotiating skills prevented things getting out of hand,’ said one resident.
Mandlanzini Youth Committee (MYC) chairman Njabulo Mthiyane repeated the issues behind Friday’s road closure protest, with many residents adding their voices to calls for improved infrastructure.
They have given two weeks ‘for things to start happening’, failing which they will consider further protest action.
According to an MYC member, resolutions taken at the meeting, where there was again a large police presence, included:
•The municipal manager (MM) will liaise with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform over land compensation claims
•The MM will also meet with the formal business sector with regard to employment of Mandlanzini youths and will investigate them being used as sub-contractors where they are able. Feedback is promised by 22 April
•Confirmation of the contract for electrification of certain areas will be given within 14 days
•The Department of Transport is in the process of preparing for tarring of the access road into Mandlanzini
•Space is available for public amenities such as a shopping mall, taxi rank, library and youth centre. Potential investors will be sourced
•The community hall will be made available for public meetings, but residents will be charged for private functions such as weddings
•The Department of Health will be approached to see if the clinic can provide 24-hour services for medical emergencies.
See gallery of protest HERE
I don’t mean to be negative but service delivery is not exactly an ANC strong point. Where does this threat of more strike action leave the rest of Richards Bay? Are we going to be terrorized every time they don’t get their way? Will they chase us out of our homes like what has happened in other parts of the country? How can we know the police have measures in place to protect the residents of Birdswood. The working class, rate paying residents have to suffer innocently every time. I would love to know if there had been charges laid for the vandalism that took place?