City and eSikhaleni residents find common ground
AFTER months of unrest and disputes on various issues, a peaceful resolution was reached between the City of uMhlathuze and the eSikhaleni community. Common ground was found during a meeting at the H2 Grounds in eSikhaleni on Tuesday.
City Mayor Mduduzi Mhlongo not only addressed residents on their concerns, but also offered positive responses to several burning issues. Three weeks ago residents, led by Chico Langa of the Golekane Movement, took their grievances to the streets and issued the mayor with a memorandum.
Residents said they were paying high rates and demanded to pay only R300.
They also wanted the municipality to conduct maintenance on all structures and to employ more people in their eSikhaleni offices.
They further demanded first preference when it comes to employment in the area.
During the march Mhlongo acknowledged residents’ concerns, promising their complaints would be considered and acted upon swiftly.
‘The municipality is committed to servicing its community diligently and any issues raised by its stakeholders will be attended to at all times.
‘The municipality is currently busy with its 2019/20 budget process.
All requests, either through the IDP process or submissions by civic society would be taken into account.
The matters raised in your memorandum will also be considered by Council,’ Mhlongo said.
Mhlongo also condemned the act of destroying municipal and public property by community members during protests - referring to the violent outbreak in the area in August.
He urged community members to exhaust all possible means of raising issues in a civilised manner through leadership structures and within the ambit of the law.