Fury as KwaDukuza Municipality denies service delivery protest
Municipal spokesperson Sipho Mkhize claimed the organisers did not meet Section 4 requirements and were informed of the fact.
The iLembe Civic Action Movement (ICAM) is seething with anger after their request to march for improved service delivery on Tuesday was denied by the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM).
The group had formally made the request to march, where they intended to present a memorandum to the mayors of KwaDukuza and iLembe.
According to ICAM deputy chairman Etienne Naude, KDM’s director of community safety, Moses Faya, said via email that their march would not be permitted and participants would face legal consequences.
Naude said the right to demonstrate is constitutionally protected and serves as the primary means for citizens to express their dissatisfaction and engage with public servants who are often reluctant to interact with the residents.
He criticised Faya’s response, describing it as indicative of the high-handed approach exhibited by the municipality towards KDM residents. Naude claimed the application for the march was dismissed without following due process, indicating a lack of regard for further consultation.
ICAM had previously been granted a meeting under Section 4 of the Gathering Act 205 of 1993, but claimed that their dialogue was frustrated by a number of irrelevant and inane discussions.
After the meeting on Friday, KDM sent communication turning down Tuesday’s march. Naude emphasised that municipalities should promptly respond to duly filed notices and engage with the organisers in good faith.
“If the municipality does not perceive the need for such a meeting, it should ensure that the gathering proceeds as specified in the notice.”
Responding to the allegations, KDM spokesperson Sipho Mkhize claimed the organisers did not meet Section 4 requirements and were informed of the fact.
“ICAM persisted and continued to promote their planned action as if it was still going to happen.
“It’s unfortunate that ICAM chooses to portray the municipality as its enemy number one, whereas the mayor has met with them before. Applications of such a nature can be declined, there’s nothing sinister about that,” said Mkhize.
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