Councillors apparently not happy with premier

eMBALENHLE – A total shutdown march of eMbalenhle is looming and is expected to be held on Monday, 3 September.

Reliable sources informed the newspaper that nine ANC councillors, who are known as the G-9, from eMbalenhle are behind the planned march.

It is alleged the councillors and other conveners are unhappy that none of the promises made by Ms Refilwe Mtsweni, Mpumalanga Premier, have been implemented.

The nine ward councillors decided in May to excuse themselves from Govan Mbeki Municipal activities because they were not pleased with service delivery in the area.

This resulted in a violent protest that led to the torching of the Mall@eMba.

Also read:

https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/118400/over-hundred-protesters-in-custody-for-looting-and-public-violence/

The councillors distanced themselves from the violence. Many locals were arrested in connection with the looting and torching of the mall.

Among other things, the G-9 demanded that council relinquishes its power of supplying electricity back to Eskom due to their failure to service their account.

Ms Mtsweni announced the decision of taking the electricity back to Eskom for residents of eMbalenhle who gathered at the Risko Fakude Stadium on 27 June.

Govan Mbeki Municipality owes Eskom more than R500 million and was among the 10 municipalities that were summoned to Parliament to explain their failure to pay Eskom.

The G-9 also demanded that some of the ANC senior leaders are removed from the area.

“They are not happy that the ANC hasn’t done anything yet.

“We also got information that they were not happy that Mr Mhlanga, acting municipal manager, was shortlisted for the position of the municipal manager,” said the source.

He further informed that newspaper that the G-9 faction is growing and has been joined by other senior ANC members.

The newspaper contacted the nine councillors, but they did not want to comment.