The Combined Structures of eMalahleni recently hosted a community assembly at the Roman Catholic Church in Ackerville to demand accountability, development, and equity.

The event on August 26 brought together hundreds of residents, civic leaders, various business representatives, and other professionals who were all gathered in one voice to address the urgent crisis facing eMalahleni.

Among the key issues that were discussed in the meeting, the residents raised their call for taxi fare subsidies for the elderly, school children, disabled persons, and veterans, their demand for fair allocation of RDP houses, an end to corruption and bribes for employment, and demand for 10% equity in retail malls, and local participation in contracts.

“We cannot live in fear in our own community. No more crime, no more hijackings, no more corruption,” Pastor Menzi Mahlangu said.

Through the meeting, the residents reached a number of resolutions, including the establishment of a petition drive to secure 1 000 signatures from residents, the deployment of 100 volunteers to mobilise support, and a call for timelines and accountability from the municipality, mining houses, retail malls, and the Thomas Mahlangu Trust.

“Unity won us freedom, and unity will rebuild eMalahleni,” said Moses Mhlanga, from the Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans Association.

The residents said they will convene another meeting in two weeks’ time for a progress report, concluding the assembly with a collective commitment to bridge the gap between the state and the community.

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