Locals voiced their concerns outside Msukaligwa Municipality in Ermelo on 8 September.

They were disgruntled about two incidents that involved the local municipality.

One of the issues was regarding interviews that were conducted by the municipality on 7 September.

According to Mr Samkelo Buthelezi, leader of the youth movement, interviews were conducted for general worker positions and when he went to enquire about the processes that the municipality followed, members of the municipality failed to answer him.

“When hiring, and advert needs to be published on media platforms, it should be fair and open for everyone but this is not what is happening at the municipality.”

Mr Buthelezi added, the people that were being interviewed could not say which process or criteria they followed.

The process of the interviews were disrupted by a group of locals.

“We are here to demonstrate that we are tired of the nepotism and corruption that is happening at our municipality.”

Members of the community, ANC Youth League and South African Communist Party (SACP) voiced their concerns in solidarity.

Mr Buthelezi said: “We as the young lions of the ANC will not condemn the nepotism and corruption that is taking place by some of the ANC officials of Msukaligwa Municipality.”

The other issue that was voiced was a notice of eviction that was served by Msukaligwa Municipality to residents of Ermelo.

Msukaligwa Municipality posted an urgent notice of eviction on their Facebook page on 22 August.

According to Mr Buthelezi, the National Government stated that no informal settlement evictions will take place during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“How can the municipality contradict the National Government.

“Decisions made by the National Government are binding so we are saying no informal settlement dwellers are going to be evicted.”

The Highvelder sent media enquiries to Mr Mandla Zwane, spokesman of Msukaligwa Municipality however, we await response.

Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.