POLOKWANE – The ANC’s Peter Mokaba regional deputy chairperson, Masilo Paya, has questioned the motives behind the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) service delivery march in Polokwane last week, suggesting the refusal to hand over their memorandum to municipal representatives was more about Mayor John Mpe than actual service provision concerns.

Read more: EFF to pursue Polokwane mayor for direct delivery of demands

His comments came after Mpe explained that he had been prepared to receive the EFF marchers at a set time, but when they failed to arrive, he continued with other official duties and delegated MMCs Joosuf Pemma and Nomonde Sivhabu to receive the memorandum on behalf of the municipality.

“They were set to move from their meeting point (SABC Park) at 10:00 and were expected to arrive at the municipality at around 11:00. When the time lapsed, I went on to attend other businesses of the municipality that equally demand my attention and assigned MMCs Pemma and Sivhabu, who can be seen as ‘cabinet members,’ to receive it,” Mpe said.

However, EFF Limpopo chairperson Lawrence Mapoulo, joined by ActionSA members, refused to hand the document to the MMCs, insisting that it be given to the mayor directly.

In response, Paya said the marchers should have been clear if their demands were directed at Mpe personally rather than the municipality as a whole.
“Representatives of the municipality and the mayor availed themselves but they still wanted the mayor. Maybe they should protest to his house,” he remarked.

The EFF march was held to highlight ongoing service delivery issues, including inconsistent water supply across many of the municipality’s 45 wards, high electricity bills, alleged corruption and a demand for Mpe to resign or be removed.

The ANC leaders spoke during a media briefing on Monday evening when they welcomed new members into the party from Ward 13 in Seshego at the regional office in Paul Kruger Street.