MASHISHING – A small group of people, who were very aggressive, told them to leave the local hall. They alleged that they represented the entire community and stated that their grievances were based on the fact that they felt robbed by the government because all tenders in their area were given to the district municipality.
They also alleged that jobs were given to people who were not from their community, which was not helping to eradicate unemployment. They also alleged that decisions were made behind their backs about matters regarding their area. They said they needed service delivery, but their councillor spent money on whatever he desired.
“They make plans and take decisions without informing the community. At the moment a group of people are switching off electricity in houses of people who can’t afford to pay,” said Mr Solly Mmila, local spokesperson for the ANC. “Why can’t they hire locally and help decrease unemployment in our community as this is the role they should be playing? We will strike if our needs are not met because clearly our leaders respond only to violence and the only person we need to speak with from now is the premier Mr DD Mabuza and no one else. This is why we are chasing these people away.”
Mpumalanga News spoke to Mr Zibonele Mncwango, spokesperson for Mabuza, who said, “After this incident the premier, now knows what their concerns are and urges the people to cooperate with the municipality.”
He also said that the premier did not take decisions under pressure from anyone. He decided on his own on what steps to take in any matter. Cllr Letta Shongwe, responded, “I had no knowledge of the concerns of this community before today. So this was news to me. I was shocked to be received in such a manner, but I will do my best to sort it out.”
