Speaking to this publication on 8 April, Sangweni said the fact that the community members are not paying rates and taxes and that this has put a strain on the municipality.

ELM traffic officer were apparently, recently, forced to buy petrol for their official vehicles.

Sangweni said that the municipality is faced with financial challenges due to the declining revenue collection. He said that ELM fuel service provider has not been paid accordingly and that the diesel issue will be sorted soon. It is also said that political infights within the ruling party, ANC, are affecting the ELM.

“It is always the case that, “When the two Elephants fights it’s the grass that suffers most”.

A Senior Traffic Officer, on condition of anonymity, told this publication that they always have to put their hands in their pockets to fill up the official vehicles so that they can perform their duties.