Faxi orders detailed reports on protests

NDLAMBE mayor Phindile Faxi warned at last week’s executive committee meeting that discussions with protesting communities were causing confusion and that ward councillors, the municipal manager and administration in general, must be present at any discussion to ensure consistency.

“Mixed messages lead to complaints by communities. Ward councillors must be made aware of any community protests,” Faxi said.

The meeting only began at 2pm instead of the previously advertised 10am because of his attendance at a service delivery protest.

Faxi asked that ward councillors compile a detailed report on all service delivery protests to enable the municipality to categorise and prioritise work.

“We need to know what challenges the municipality faces with respect to service delivery,” he said.

Faxi also spoke about the housing office in Marselle that was burned down during service delivery protests. During the last few years, the destruction of property has become a standard consequence of service delivery protests, and many buildings throughout Ndlambe have been damaged.

“The problem is that this building in Marselle does not belong to the municipality, and we have no money available to fix it,” he said. “It cannot be fixed under the municipality’s current insurance.”

Acting municipal manager Lazola Maneli asked where people thought the money to fix such things actually came from.