Recent violent protest action has now led to Umdoni Municipality heeding the call of protesters who are fed up with allegedly corrupt municipal officials.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, July 17 a statement was released explaining that the Umdoni Municipality had recently been confronted with a series of unprecedented community protests.
“It is highly regrettable that most communities were being inconvenienced during these public protests,” said Umdoni Municipality mayor, Councillor Thabani Dube in the statement.
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Following council’s consideration of the recently provided Cogta report, it was decided that the following measures be implemented:
Establishment of the municipal Rapid Response Team which would deal with and follow up on any community related issues; immediate suspension of the general managers of Technical Services and Corporate Services, pending investigation of the allegations levelled against them – charges have not, as yet, been formulated; prioritisation of filling of the vacant position of ‘Manager Youth’ after the approval of the organogram and conclusion of a session with NNK Contractor which sets out new timelines for the completion of the Gqolweni Road.
According to the statement, Umdoni claims it had immediately made attempts to meet with the leaders of the community march led by the Anti Deployment Association in order to provide adequate responses to the relevant issues.
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“But, to our dismay, this noble request was met with demands which were not contained in the initial memorandum, rendering our efforts ineffective,” said Cllr Dube.
Following the press briefing it was revealed that there were suspicions of another protest looming.
However, the municipality explained that it would continue to engage with members of the community on the matter so as to avoid conflict.
Various acting municipal managers have come and gone within the past year and angry members of the community are demanding to be told with whom they can engage so as to hold that authority accountable.
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Interviews for various posts are set to be conducted in the coming weeks, with assistance provided by the municipal manager of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality.
A new municipal manager is expected to be appointed by September.
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