DEAR Editor,-
The IFP condemns protest action by people masquerading as MK veterans going around taking over KwaZulu-Natal municipalities and threatening to unleash violence if they are not given jobs and tenders.
ALSO READ : IFP orders Cogta to release R35-million probe report
Close to 100 men wearing camouflage colours claiming to be affiliated to uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association, took over Msunduzi District and Richmond municipal offices last week and have promised to spread across to other municipalities.
This method of doing things by MKVA vets undermines every individual affected by unemployment and lack of funding – who also are looking for fair recruitment and SCM processes to get opportunities.
People who use violent, self-entitlement tactics to harass the fairness of distribution of opportunities must be harshly dealt with. As the IFP we acknowledge the corruption and fraud involved in public offices when recruiting and issuing tenders, but the fact of the matter is that we cannot have a situation where only MKVA vets are prioritised.
In KZN we have many young people, some with masters’ degrees, actively searching for employment using proper systems.
Why must MK veterans be put first on the agenda? Does this mean everyone who is unemployed must gather and hold the municipality hostage so that they can be employed?
Does this also mean that any ANC affiliated people deserve more than the rest of the citizens? Why do they feel entitled or that they are being owed by the state – more than the rest of the citizens?
It is time that people who illegally demand tenders and jobs be criminally charged for breaching municipality service delivery processes. We are aware that the same ‘veterans’ have in recent months carried out a series of property invasions in the province with very little attempt from government to stop them.
While we understand and sympathise with their frustrations regarding the incompetent government, which, despite being obliged to assist with jobs, is not doing anything to assist them to escape unemployment and poverty.
ALSO READ : UPDATE: Samwu march – Mayor shows up after threats
They must accept that it is not only them whom the ANC fooled with empty promises, the whole country is burning because promises have not been met.
But it does not mean the remedy is to hold municipal offices to ransom. We urge them to fully understand that unemployment is endemic in every corner of this country.
Everyone is suffering from lack of employment and the corrupt tendering system that has monopolised opportunities to only ANC-close affiliates.
The least that veterans can do is to take an active leadership role and invite participation of all unemployed young people to take up the revolution of demanding change (of things in the governance) to end corruption and looting of state funds by greedy officials.
BLESSED GWALA MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
