Food parcel exclusions leave bitter taste

Ward councillor accused of manipulating lists, excluding some people

A Buffalo City Metro councillor is embroiled in a bitter dispute with residents who accuse him of depriving certain elderly people in his ward of food parcels.

Angry residents from ward 16, including ward committee members, held a meeting on Saturday in Amalinda Forest to discuss their outrage that the food parcels had not reached some elderly people.

ANC ward councillor Mzukisi Relu handed over 250 food parcels in Amalinda Forest, Cambridge Location and Highway Gardens during the festive season.

Ward committee member Mxolisi Ngunuza told the Daily Dispatch on Monday that the ward committee members had decided to call the meeting to clear their names.

“The councillor did not include us in this process and now this is getting us into trouble with residents.

“People are calling us and questioning us about why they did not get food parcels.

“So we wanted to set the record straight and remove ourselves from this mess.

“Our councillor does not do things according to the book,” said Ngunuza.

He said four elderly women who demanded answers from Relu about their exclusion apparently received a backlash from the councillor.

“He shouted at the elderly women and accused them of being involved in politics and boycotting his meetings,” said Ngunuza.

Residents who were not elderly had received the “Christmas gift” too, he added.

One of the residents who did not receive a food parcel was 87year-old Nontsapho Donga from Amalinda Forest.

She told the Daily Dispatch that a woman working with the councillor told her she needed to fetch the food.

“I can’t walk, it’s been 10 years now. Even when I vote, I cast my special vote at home.

“But now when I have to get food, I’m expected to fetch it myself. I told the young woman I couldn’t walk. I’m still as hungry as I was when they told me about the initiative.

“My crime was not being able to walk,” said the granny.

Following the meeting on Saturday, the ANC branch secretary in the ward, Phiwe Mehlo, said they wanted Relu to tell them what criteria he used to hand over the parcels.

“We are not happy about service delivery in our ward. This was supposed to be a Christmas gift to the elderly, but in Cambridge Location, the list was manipulated and the people who were supposed to receive the parcels did not get them.

“No general meetings took place before these parcels were handed out. There was no transparency,” said Mehlo.

When contacted by the Dispatch, Relu denied the claims.

He said he handed over 91 parcels in Cambridge Location, 38 in Highway Gardens, 107 parcels in Amalinda Forest and seven in Summerpride and Dawn areas.

“The budget for the initiative came from BCM. It was for the elderly, but I decided to include some disabled people.

“I went to the specific areas and held meetings before the parcels were handed over. The people complaining did not even attend those meetings. I met with area committees and asked for the relevant information and got it,” said Relu.

He alleged the ward committees were competing with him for the position of councillor.

“I heard about the meeting. I will account to the council speaker’s office. That is where I account.

“I will report back to the community when the time is right, not only about the food parcels but other projects too,” said Relu.

It was for the elderly, but I decided to include some disabled people

Ward councillor Mzukisi Relu