‘ANC government failed our senior citizens’ Kenny Kunene during Soweto visit
Thando Nondywana The Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) Kenny Kunene and members of his party, on Monday, visited the Cele family in Zola North. This follows the death of 76-year-old Ntombi Cele who died in a fire which broke out at the family home over a week ago. The purpose of the visit,
The Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) Kenny Kunene and members of his party, on Monday, visited the Cele family in Zola North.
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This follows the death of 76-year-old Ntombi Cele who died in a fire which broke out at the family home over a week ago.
The purpose of the visit, according to the political pain, was to assist the bereaved family with funeral arrangements as well as assess the state of the house.
“An old lady, a pensioner, died in this house because of our government. These are the results of load shedding and the lack of electricity being provided to our people,” said Kunene, outside of the family home.
The controversial businessman did not mince his words and slammed the government’s failure to decisively handle basic service delivery needs to the people. He said the death of Cele was at the hands of the ANC government, which has kept its “dysfunctional” ministers in office despite dissatisfaction from communities.
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“We put the blame on the government, on Pravin Gordhan because he has failed dismally to make sure that Eskom works.
“We put the blame on the CEO of Eskom as well. The people of Soweto have marched over and over again on the same issue.
“We put the blame on the minister of police because cables are being stolen however there is no plan or action from the police.
“They are clueless. We put the blame on the president of this country who does not reshuffle, people like Pravin Gordhan who are useless in cabinet,” he said.
Kunene used his address to applaud leaders in the branch and regional structures for ensuring the province gathered and directed resources to replace the shattered windows, doors and painting before the funeral.
“We are not assisting because we want you to join our party , we are assisting because we love our people and this country. We don’t do things for political gain but we assist because it’s the right thing to do,” he assured the family.
Family representative, Bongani Nkosi said this was a huge blow for the family, citing that they were still disturbed with the ordeal.
“We thank all the organisations that have come to our aid. Our focus right now is making sure we give her a dignified farewell.
“Her death has shocked us, especially the manner in which everything occurred, Nkosi told Urban News.
“She was a people’s person and always a pleasure to be around. We believe if Eskom was delivering on its services, none of this would have happened. This is the outcomes of privatizing national assists.”
According to the family, Cele stayed in the main house alone, while her son and his family shared a backroom in the yard. They said they suspected the fire was caused by a candle.
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“We think her dress may have caught fire from the candle. The dining room was the most damaged which suggests where she was sitted and I suppose where the fire started. She had sustained severe burn marks on her hand and lower body,” Nkosi said.
The community of Zola North, in ward 51 has remained without electricity supply for over three months due to an exploitation of the main transformer in the area.
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