A continuation of the unfinished Ordinary Council Meeting was held at the Wembezi Multipurpose Centre on October 2. Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s council and management took their seats and the meeting got underway.
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Among the business of the day was the prioritization of projects. Council had to approve the list of projects to be implemented with the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) during the 2021 and 2023 financial years.
The Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has sent a correspondence to address this urgently or they will withdraw the funding. The projects include gravel roads, road rehabilitation and community halls in Ward 1 through 23. Councillor Mkhize added that the Shayamoya Community Hall will also be used as a crèche in Ward 16.
Councillor Lite passed thanks to the municipal manager and management for finally having the asbestos matter resolved, and a date will be decided once it reaches the community. The asset and fleet management report was also reviewed.
The report listed the progress on vehicle and plant repairs, most of which were in the process of obtaining spares and workmanship. Moving along, the status of disciplinary cases was noted; this being the three internal cases pending with the Labour Relations office.
Thereafter, councillors yet again expressed their need for security. The majority of councillors present stressed the urgent need for protection. Municipal Manager Patrick Mkhize committed to bringing the unit responsible for threat assessments, with immediate effect, along with a legal opinion on the matter, which left many councillors uneasy.
Council said in unison that they felt that the security subject was being ignored. While all this was underway, news was received via social media that shots had been fired at Al Jama-ah Party PR councillor Kabelo Ashly Nthekiso’s vehicle while making his way to the council meeting.
This resulted in the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) councillors walking out again. As the message spread, council chambers were speedily vacated by the rest of council.
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