Kwa Ndancama residents were furious when Director of Infrastructure and Technical services at Makana Municipality Thembinkosi Myalato failed to arrive at a meeting recently.
Kwa Ndancama residents were furious when Director of Infrastructure and Technical services at Makana Municipality Thembinkosi Myalato failed to arrive at a meeting recently.
Myalato was scheduled to explain the housing backlog in areas such as Kwa-Ndancama, Vukani and Eluxolweni; however, more than 300 community members waited in vain for him at Luvuyo Hall on Wednesday 14 August.
Ward 9 councilor Kholiswa Jela had her hands full trying to calm the crowd, which was becoming increasingly impatient at Myalato's absence. She bought time by telling them what the criteria were for granting houses, and how the application process worked. She was interrupted by an elderly woman who demanded to know why construction in Kwa Ndancama had stopped prematurely and had not resumed.
In 2007 construction came to a halt after human bones were accidentally unearthed. Demanding Myalato's presence, the woman encouraged other residents to march to his office. She claimed that in a previous meeting, Myalato had promised them the Kwa Ndancama housing project would commence on 20 June after getting permission from the Heritage Society.
To this date, not a single brick had been laid.
Councillor Mabhuti Matyumza, chairperson of the social development portfolio committee, supported the suggestion. "I understand her frustration," Matyumza said.
Myalato said he was absent due to an urgent water crisis that he had to attend to out of town. Five people were elected to march to Myalato's office and demand answers about the housing development. The meeting was not short of drama, with Grocotts Mail initially blocked from attending. Jela and her entourage told reporters that they hadn't been invited and should leave.
She claimed she was acting on instructions of Council Speaker Rachel Madinda Isaacs. Grocott's Mail was eventually admitted, however, with the proviso reporters didn't delay the meeting by "probing".
