ANC rejects allegations that ‘their hidden agendas’ are behind protest action
The truth is that the council has not held a single ordinary meeting since the beginning of 2018.
The ANC has rejected Mayor Richard Mbatha’s comments that the recent protests in Endumeni are as a result of a ploy by the ANC and ‘their hidden agenda’.
The Mayor made the comments during an interview with the Courier last week. Lucky Khumalo, ANC Chief Whip, said the remarks show ‘just how out of touch he and the co-governance set-up in the Council are with the community’.
“In a radio interview, the Mayor referred to the marchers as losers and being under the influence of drugs. Callers to that radio programme insisted that the march attracted people from across the political party line and it is known that the main organiser is an IFP supporter. The ANC did not arrange the protests but the party will assist the public in making sure that their legitimate grievances receive the necessary attention, and that their demands are met.
Turning to comments that the new Council had finished many incomplete projects, Cllr Khumalo said these were conceived by the (previous) ANC Council and the ‘new governance had not shown any dynamism by coming up with new initiatives.”
“The most decent thing for him (Mayor Mbatha) to have done in the circumstances would have been to resign.
“The co-governance arrangement has presided over corruption, maladministration and a collapse of local government.
“When this coalition took over in 2016, the ANC had run a clean government, which was confirmed by the clean audit which Endumeni obtained for the 2015/2016 financial year from the Auditor General. We have yet to see the audit outcomes for the 2016/2017 financial year.” Turning to comments that the new Council had finished many incomplete projects, Cllr Khumalo said these were conceived by the (previous) ANC Council and the ‘new governance had not shown any dynamism by coming up with new initiatives.”
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He added that the housing process referred to by the Mayor, who said the MEC had cancelled the tender through a political manoeuvre by an ANC MEC, was ‘anything but without loopholes’.
The only time the council has convened is when there are compliance issues which have to be dealt with, such as the budget and the IDP. Such issues like the exorbitant rate hikes are furthest on the minds of the leading IFP; DA and EFF coalition.
“The Human Settlements Department terminated the (housing) contract with Endumeni on May 23 after they had been advised of the legal risks pertaining to the tender process which was ignored. They published their intention to award the tender even though they had been told the process was flawed.
The tender was challenged in Court – as was the security tender – and again, Endumeni lost in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. The court granted a cost order against the Municipality which could be R500 000. On the rates issue which the Mayor says has been taken up, and Council is looking into the possibility of offering rebates to business owners…Wrong… The truth is that the council has not held a single ordinary meeting since the beginning of 2018. The only time the council has convened is when there are compliance issues which have to be dealt with, such as the budget and the IDP. Such issues like the exorbitant rate hikes are furthest on the minds of the leading IFP; DA and EFF coalition.
“This is despite the ANC having tabled a substantive motion to deal with the outcry of the rates’ hike; however, like all other motions we have tabled in the past, this matter was also disregarded by the Speaker, and has not seen the light of day.”
