Lazarus Dithagiso

VANDERBIJLPARK. – It came as no surprise when hundreds belonging to a faction of the African National Congress (ANC) teamed up with the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and community stakeholders.

They all marched against poor service delivery from the Emfuleni Local Municipality, ELM.

The irony is that this could be interpreted as the ANC marching against itself. Some members of the Emfuleni Mayoral Committee and ward councillors lead the march.

According to a statement issued, the marchers said that they now know Emfuleni has corrupt leaders and managers. and that billions of rands have been spent by ELM over the last three years, with nothing to show for it in terms of service delivery and municipal services in general.

Among statements made during the march, people demanded anonymously that the regional secretary of the ruling party in Sedibeng, Jason Mkhwane, step down.

The march nearly lost its peaceful intent when the marchers said their documents should not be received by MMC Jan Moshoadiba as they wanted either ELM Speaker Maipato Tsokolibane or Mayor Jacob Khawe to receive the memo but they did not show up.

Moshoadiba, who had decided to stand back, was later called to perform this function.

He apologised on behalf of Mayor Khawe who, he said, had a prior commitment with the Premier and other officials.

ELM has been given two weeks to respond to complaints.

The peaceful march lasted almost two-and-a-half hours. The marchers traversed most of the busiest CBD roads before proceeding to the main building.

Onlookers were heard saying that Sanco and the SACP are busy stoking fires within the mother body.

Their main question was – how can they march against the ELM when it is run by the same ANC?

Meanwhile the regional secretary of the ANC, Jason Mkhwane, has issued a stern warning against those who attended and organised the march:

“Serious discipline will be instituted against those who still suffer from the conference hangover.

“The matter will be escalated to both the PEC and the NEC for immediate sanctions against those who have perpetrated acts of misconduct, broken the membership oath and the duties expected of them.”