Opposition councillors bashed
WHAT was meant to be an interactive programme to tackle service delivery issues became a podium for political bashing.
The already bumpy road to the national elections next year turned even rougher when KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube cracked the whip on ward councillors and municipalities. She was responding to residents’ concerns during the Premier’s Imbizo at uMfolozi TVET College in eSikhaleni on Wednesday. Apart from service delivery issues, residents spoke about unemployment and being ‘discriminated’ against because of their political affiliation.
Her 'no holds barred' approach saw her come down hard on leaders who abuse their power and fail to benefit communities.
“Opportunities are for everyone, young and old, despite their political party preferences. “Service delivery is not for certain people from a particular party, but for all South Africans,” she said.
“Councillors cannot hire their friends or force residents to be members of political parties because that is illegal. It must be reported so they can be dealt with.”
Other issues raised included housing programmes, water and sanitation, and Home Affairs delays.
The premier was accompanied by members of the executive council, as well as officials from Home Affairs, Sassa, and other government departments.
Departments on the ground
As part of the Premier’s Imbizo and Sukuma Sakhe programme, MECs reported on projects around the region. Among these were:
· The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture used the platform to hand over certificates of nomination for finalists in the KZN Sport Awards.
· Led by Human Settlements and Public Works MEC Sipho ‘KK’ Nkosi, his department donated to a Ward 33 farming project. Their visit supported projects such as Confluence Farm and Concur Piggery, funded by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
· Transport, Community Safety and
Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka conducted a site visit to the Dumisani Makhaye Village housing project in Ngwelezana. Alongside other officials, Hlomuka inspected pothole repairs and maintenance work on the P230 in Empangeni.
· MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi visited
Ward 30 where she inspected the progress of the construction of Khandisa Primary School, and assessed the state of service delivery at Khandisa Clinic in KwaDlangezwa. She also held a direct engagement with the ward’s war room and received updates on its functionality.
· EDTEA MEC Siboniso Duma interacted with communities in a war room in Ward 33 in Buchanana.
· The premier and MECs handed over gardening tools, sport kit, and other materials to residents.