The City of Ekurhuleni executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, has commented for the first time on the ongoing reblocking dispute.
Speaking during Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s annual public engagement in Tembisa’s Rabasotho Community Hall last Wednesday, Masina said the reblocking programme was meant to raise the conditions and standard of living for neglected communities.
“I don’t want to vouch for some of the things that are happening on the ground because we are dealing with many areas and issues all at once.
But this programme is solely meant to help our communities, especially those who live in informal settlements. It is meant to bring back their dignity,” he told the community.
“There isn’t and must never be anyone displaced because of this programme. Everyone must be allocated a better place to live in,” he continued.
He said those who charged people for reblocking services were doing so illegally and must be brought to book.
“That’s plain corruption and it must be stopped. Those people must be investigated,” stressed Masina.
In Tembisa, shack residents in Vusumuzi Section have been vocal about their stance against reblocking and have time and again complained of rampant corruption and favouritism.
They have even taken their fight to the High Court.
At the gathering, Masina took a swipe at ‘rebellious’ government employees who questioned and challenged the public protector’s rulings, especially on issues of corruption against them.
“When the public protector acts and finds me wrong, I will challenge this and go to court, but where can she go if the court says she has indeed erred?” asked Masina in defence of Mkhwebane, who has come under fire lately, especially after President Cyril Ramaphosa challenged her findings in court.
“We have three arms of state, the executive, legislature and the judiciary. But who is looking after the judge, why is the judge’s decision final? This is a question we must all ask. Why are there no other independent institutions to look after the judges?” he asked.
