Mayor fights back after Komga protest
GREAT Kei municipality mayor Loyiso Tshetsha dismissed a service delivery protest by Komga residents, saying many of the problems raised were from before he was elected.
Tshetsha said he found it surprising the protest had entered a fourth day despite a representative from the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs meeting with the group on Wednesday.
“A representative came out to meet with them but it is still continuing which is puzzling because what we found was that the petition handed over was more of a personal attack on me than the way I am leading,” Tshetsha said.
The residents had accused Tshetsha of misappropriating funds, crashing a state vehicle and a lack of development and service delivery in the town.
“I don’t see the need to respond to their demands found in the petition because most of what they are accusing me of are problems that date back to before I was elected.”
About 300 protestors marched up Komga main road yesterday while Tshetsha was conducting a council meeting in the town hall.
Great Kei United Forum leader Weaver Sinqana said they hoped the mayor would provide a solution to their issues.
“We only want someone who can lead our people properly but if they continue in this complacent manner then we will see a time where the community will be tired of being tired,” Sinqana said.
In response, Tshetsha said: “We are in the planning process to improve our roads and sewerage problems and we are addressing these issues and many others which might not be at the speed that the residents want but we are trying.”
In a counter protest along the N2 a group of around 100 ANC Kei Mouth residents in support of Tshetsha held a picket with placards reading: “Hands off our Mayor”.