East residents want local councillor out
Residents accused their ward councillor of corruption and demanded he step down immediately.
The Nellmapius residents have demanded their ward councillor be removed for corruption.
On Friday they took their frustration to Solomon Mahlangu Drive and barricaded the road with burning tyres, rubbish and stones in protest.
“Joel Masilela must step down with immediate effect,” they said.
They said they had had it with his corrupt “fingers in many pies” in local projects.
“He hires his own people – especially his close friends. His close friends have sub-contractors in the extension 22 housing project, and are selling municipal land.”
Residents said they had complained about him to Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga many times “but he never acted”.
They said they wouldn’t complain about Masilela at public meetings because he and his friends always carried guns.
“We fear for our lives at those meetings,” said the residents.
“All we want is for him to step down.”
They said Masilela only cared for his cronies who were the only ones with jobs in local projects.
They demanded the government intervene.
Masilela said he had held a public meeting on Friday at which the protesters had raised their concern and their intention to protest but the rest of the residents would not join them.
He denied all allegations against him but was unapologetic.
He said he could not be blamed if the residents failed to exploit the opportunities he brought about.
“The contracts are offered to people who qualify and can deliver, not my friends.”
He said the protesters had also raised the electricity problem but he had told them this would be the thing of the past since the Heatherly power station upgrade was now complete “but for a few touch-ups”.
“My job is to inform residents about upcoming projects but I don’t apply for jobs for them. They must do that themselves so I cannot be blamed for their failures,” said Masilela adding he always acted as soon as he could to residents’ complaints.
“During the meeting, the protesters complained that there were people occupying the newly built houses illegally. I told them the occupiers would be evicted.”
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/156650/east-councillors-look-forward-to-improved-2018/
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