Residents demand for councilors removal
The aftermath of the protest in Mkhuhlu
As we draw closer to the general elections which will be held in May, many communities have continuously raised their hands in demand of better service delivery from the ruling party, and it was again evident in Mkhuhlu where residents of ward 03 barricaded the road with burning tyres, traffic boards, stones in protest for four days against their ward councilor, Lot Nkuna following allegations of nepotism.
The community submitted a memorandum at the municipality’s head office in which they say they want to elect a new ward councillor. According to the community members, the ward councillor used his influence to ensure that his family members are hired to work at the Mkhuhlu industrial site. They say Nkuna’s wife and three other family members were hired because of the councillor’s position.
This resulted in a community protest that escalated to the destruction of property. The community members also emphasised to the mayor that it is not about service delivery, but the ward councillor himself.
When speaking to Bushbuckridge News, Bushbuckridge local municipality said they will investigate the matter further; “As the municipality we have received the memorandum and we will investigate the matter further, we cannot condone nepotism because we should all get an equal opportunity to employment,” said BLM communications officer Aubrey Mnisi.
The municipality further said that the necessary steps will be taken as soon as the municipality has concluded the investigation regarding the allegations.
Nyapela stands outside his dilapidated house
Councillor responds to Nyapela’s story
The local mayor of ward 14, Mr Lodrick Ndlovu has responded to the allegations of Harrison Nyapela, a senior citizen who claims to have been twice denied an RDP house by the local municipal representatives.
“As a senior citizen and pensioner, the old man deserves a proper house, however, the challenge right now is that the Human Settlements department say they don’t have sufficient money, which makes it difficult for us to assist him right away. That’s also the reason why the current RDP project in the community has been on hold lately.”
“Those living in dilapidated houses always take first priority in our list of RDP beneficiaries, and the old man should have been assisted a long time ago. I am in the process of finding alternative means to help him get a better house.”
The councillor also said that the old man’s dire situation should be attended to very soon