MK members march for services in Umzumbe

The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) in the Umzumbe sub-region has threatened to abruptly halt operations in Umzumbe Municipality, if their grievances are snubbed.

Members of the MKP embarked on a service delivery march from the Mfundo Arnold Lushaba Community Health Centre in Mtwalume to the Umzumbe Municipality offices last Friday, where they handed over a memorandum.
Zamani Nzama, leader of the MKP Umzumbe sub-region, led the march.
Citing the party’s concerns, Nzama said there was a water crisis in Umzumbe.

He said that despite the existence of water infrastructure in many areas, water access remained severely limited or entirely unavailable.

“In Ward 1, the areas of Nyamande and Khanyile have had no water supply for over six months. In Wards 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20, there are areas with no running water, broken boreholes, or limited night-only supply. Ward 7 has had no water for more than three years. Boreholes at Nobuzwe and the surrounding areas in Ward 8 have not been repaired,” he said.

Nzama said roads in Umzumbe are in a terrible condition.

He said in Ward 1, R12m was spent on a road project that remains incomplete.

“Workers on the Mncindo road project have been unpaid since January. In Wards 4, 5, 7, 8, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 20, damaged access roads make these areas inaccessible, impacting emergency and scholar transport. In Ward 11, the road through Emthini Owomile is incomplete, with no bridge, which leaves residents isolated during extreme weather conditions. In Ward 13, over R12m was spent on the incomplete Morrison Stadium,” he said.

Nzama also accused the municipality of practising politically biased employment.
He explained that in Wards 5, 9, 10, 14 and 17, employment and training projects were allegedly reserved for people affiliated with certain political parties.

He said in Ward 3, outsiders are employed for major projects, excluding residents.
Nzama also claimed that Expanded Public Works Programme appointments were allegedly made without community consultation.

Another MKP member, Thobile Phungula, said cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were on the rise in Umzumbe.

She said there was a need for a dedicated GBV task team and public awareness campaigns.
Supporting the march on behalf of the Progressive Civics Congress (PCC), Thelumusa Mchunu, said housing was also an issue in Umzumbe.

Mchunu said in Wards 3, 8, 9 and 17, there is no visible progress in RDP housing, with many houses remaining incomplete.

Meanwhile, the MKP gave Umzumbe Municipality 21 days to respond to their grievances.
Umzumbe municipal manager Shaka Cele accepted the memorandum.

Celes said the municipal leadership would respond in due course after going through the grievances.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Fever’s Facebook page