OPEN LETTER TO THE MAYOR

Karl Stemmer Mabelane writes:

Dear leader

This is an open letter to you written out of a sense of anger and of understanding. We have been plunged into a deep abyss as a result of your lack of leadership. We have been slowly but surely sliding into this state of affairs. You surely knew when you took oath of office that Thaba Chweu was on the brink of collapse.

The day you raised your hand – a year ago in August – pleading to God to help you execute your responsibilities, you should have known what was lying ahead. Today I am convinced that you had no idea at all. You embarked on the unfamiliar terrain of developmental local government – that of Thaba Chweu to be precise.

It is really true that “where there is no vision the people perish”. Since August, I and perhaps many others have not heard your sense of vision for the future. The future of my kids and your grandsons and -daughters depend on it.

Do not pretend that it is business as usual. The ship that you are captain of is sinking right under you. You are living on borrowed time and negotiating a slippery slope. I wonder whether you still have the energy to mitigate the heavy storms.

Under your nose our Eskom account has grown bigger and bigger. Under your stewardship we hear of stories of greed and agendas of self enrichment. It is under you, who has no vision, that we see a deterioration of service standards.

You are not as innocent as you claim to be. In certain quarters you are quoted as funding a group that seeks to eliminate or silence your opponents within our democratic establishment. You evoke the Almighty every time you speak as if He had anointed you. I wonder who you are exactly.

Tell us the truth why you are occupying that office. It is not because – as you claim – that God “called” you to serve His people. No, you are in it for the money and not for the people.

At this time it will be better for you to play “Black Mampatile” at home with your grandchildren. History shall judge you harshly for having failed us.

I am not running for office, hey! I had my turn of negotiating failures and enjoying success during trying and arduous times. I refuse to believe that you will stay on. Take my advice, I am a veteran. Go home and leave it to the capable to lead us on a path of prosperity, growth and development.