Mayor does not show up for meeting
Ms Lindi Masina said she has an outmost respect for traditional leaders but the meeting invitation was on short notice
The House of Traditional Leaders are very upset that the Govan Mbeki Municipal executive mayor did not attend a meeting that they requested with her.
They said Ms Lindi Masina has proven that she does not respect them.
Traditional leaders from the municipality were supposed to have a meeting with her on Friday, 19 February, but she did not pitch up.
They said they waited for hours in the hope that she would arrive, but when she did not, they called her office and were told that she was committed somewhere else.
“The least that she could have done was to inform us earlier that she could not make it in time.”
“We are leaders,” said Chief Isaack Mahlangu.
They wanted to discuss various issues concerning residents in the area.
Mr Mahlangu said there are many pressing issues which they want to bring before Council.
“It is very embarrassing to know that politicians are not taking us serious.
“Our dignity has been undermined.
“We will retaliated.”
“We will discuss how at our council meeting.
“We are sick and tired of being overlooked by political leadership.”
Ms Masina said her absence from the meeting has been misinterpreted.
She said it is not because she disregards and disrespects the House of Traditional Leaders, but that she received short notice of the meeting.
Her office apparently made several attempts to contact the traditional leaders, but the number was unavailable.
“At the times that I received the leaders’ request for a meeting, I had already had another engagement that we could not cancel.
“I said when I began my term as the mayor, that it is my aim to work very closely with stakeholders in the area, including traditional leaders.
“I will never disrespect the elderly, especially traditional leadership, it is not how I was raised.
“I respect them and am willing that the meeting is rescheduled.
“I will be pleased to meet with them to hear their concerns.”
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