A much-anticipated meeting between Makana mayor, Zamuxolo Peter, and protesting Hlalani residents who have been calling for him and ward councillor, Malibongwe Khubalo, to step down, produced fireworks on Youth Day.
A much-anticipated meeting between Makana mayor, Zamuxolo Peter, and protesting Hlalani residents who have been calling for him and ward councillor, Malibongwe Khubalo, to step down, produced fireworks on Youth Day.
Peter and Khubalo were made to answer difficult questions about basic services at a meeting with Hlalani residents at Foley's Ground on Tuesday 16 June.
This follows over a week of service delivery protests by the residents.
The residents made it clear to Peter during his opening remarks that they felt left out.
Starting the meeting in typical ANC style, the mayor shouted "amandla" (power) and, instead of responding by saying "ngawethu" (is ours), the residents said "ngawakho" (it's yours).
He then said "phambili (forward) nge (with) service delivery" and instead of responding by saying "phambili (forward)" they said "ayikho" (it doesn't exist).
Other councillors in the meeting were Julia Wells, Nomathamsanqa Meti, Mabhuti Matyumza, Nomhle Gaga and officials in attendance were Infrastructure and Technical Services deputy director, Dali Mlenzana, and manager in the Speaker's office, Noluthando Santi.
There were many disruptions during the meeting.
The residents spotted police vehicles from a distance while Peter was addressing them and immediately started singing and signalling that they didn't want police anywhere near the event.
Khubalo intervened and volunteered to go and deal with the police as the meeting threatened to get out of control.
"I understand you feel intimidated when there are cops around, so allow me to deal with the situation, while the meeting continues," he said.
Shortly after that, while Peter was still talking to the animated residents, the marquee in which the meeting was taking place started to sway and tilt under the rain and strong wind.
Khubalo at one point had to physically hold the tent to prevent it from collapsing.
When order was eventually restored, Peter had to stand on a chair to address the crowd because people were packed inside the unstable shelter.
Introducing Peter at the beginning of the meeting, Khubalo said the people's enemy is the lack of service delivery and "they want you, Mayor, to address them".
Peter started his address by apologising to the residents for not coming to the mayoral imbizo in the area recently, saying it was not the only one he had failed to attend. Peter said he made sure that he sent councillors, some of whom are mayoral committee members, to address the meeting.
"Unfortunately I could not be here and I apologised."
Talking about the lack of flushing toilets in Hlalani, Peter blamed contractors who, he said, had failed to do their jobs. Peter said contractors, TNT Enterprises, had won the tender to dig and install the pipes.
"We were sure that they would be able to do the job, but they failed and we had to fire them," he said.
In 2012 TNT Enterprises, was hired to convert pit latrines into a water-born system. According to a report tabled in a special council meeting in December 2012, the company had not paid its workers an amount of R42 857.
Makana Municipality terminated their contract in November that year because they also failed to fulfil the general conditions of their contract.
A report from the acting municipal manager's office dated 29 November recommended that the municipality pay the workers the money owed to them by TNT Enterprises.
After TNT Enterprises was axed the whole process had to start from the beginning.
Ngelethu Construction was later hired to take over the job, but they too, according to Peter, disappointed and were subsequently fired.
Then they appointed Zwelethu JV Construction.
Peter's announcement regarding the R11 million budgeted for an indoor sports complex in the area initially caused confusion, with residents saying they didn't want the facility.
Just as Peter was explaining that he would have to go back and have a meeting to convey the residents' opposition to the building of the facility, one resident stood up and went to the front of the tent and convinced the residents that it was in their best interests to allow the project to continue.
"As residents we want this project for job creation… don't make Peter win by howling. Allow him to talk," he said.
The residents raised several problems in the area, including the lack of street lights, community hall, proper toilets and decent houses.
The meeting came about after protests that began on Wednesday 10 June outside the city hall, where a group identifying themselves as Hlalani residents demanded to see the Mayor.
On Friday 12 June a group blocked the north end of Dr Jacob Zuma Drive, below Hlalani near the clay cuttings.
The same area, along with the R67 opposite Nombulelo High School, and the Hlalani taxi route, were blocked off with burning barricades on Sunday night and the clay cuttings section of Dr Jacob Zuma Drive was blocked off again for part of the morning of Tuesday 16 June.
anele@grocotts.co.za
