Councillor fears for his life
Jodwana believes device found outside home may be linked to disgruntled SMME owners
ANELSON Mandela Bay ward councillor, Sizwe Jodwana, fears for his life and the safety of his family after finding a petrol bomb in front of his Kwazakhele home yesterday.
The makeshift bomb, which had not been detonated, with half a two-litre bottle of petrol was found in front of the gate at his Buyembo Street home at about 5am.
Jodwana, who is the councillor for Ward 21, had a fall-out with a group of small business owners in his ward the previous day over a tender to fence a playground and he believes the incidents may be linked.
Jodwana claims a group of about 45 SMME representatives had threatened his family when he told them the metro could not give in to their demands to receive a 25% stake of the R342 000 contract.
He said splitting the contract to fence the playground in Ndongeni Street would be impossible as the main contractor was already making a tiny profit from the project.
“The ward-based SMMEs are insisting that they are supposed to be getting a 25% share of the projects and we have told them we cannot allow that,” Jodwana said.
Councillors do not have a say over how contracts are awarded or split as this is an administrative function.
Jodwana said he had called a meeting on Monday after work at the playground was brought to a standstill on Friday.
He alleges that threats were made against him during an argument at the meeting, held in his office in Kwazakhele.
He said he believed the petrol bomb was a warning from the SMMEs, who were hell-bent on getting their way.
“I am worried about my children and my wife; I see this as a warning from [the SMMEs].”
Police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge said they were aware of the threats and were investigating the matter.
“We can confirm that the explosive unit was deployed to a house in Kwazakhele after what appears to have been an incendiary device outside the premises,” he said.
“The device has been taken by our forensic team as evidence in a case of intimidation.”
Beetge confirmed they had received reports of contractors stopping building work as there had been threats against workers on the project.
“We are in contact with the councillor and should assistance be required from the police, he can contact us,” Beetge said.
Speaking on behalf of the SMME ward forums, Nafcoc Bay president Litemba Singapi said they condemned any acts of violence or threats among businesspeople.
“We have been informed of the challenges that emerging businesspeople are experiencing in relation to the ward councillor and them benefiting from a ward project,” he said.
“Ward projects are where emerging contractors participate. It is a challenge when councillors intervene in the space the SMME ward forums would have the responsibility of safeguarding.”
Singapi said Nafcoc had been informed that the problem started when Jodwana announced SMMEs would not participate and that residents would be used for labour.
“It is unfortunate that businesspeople were behaving in this manner,” Singapi said.
“We encourage good relations between ward councillors and SMMEs as they don’t know when they might need each other.”
Jodwana said claims made by the SMMEs through Singapi were untrue
Safety and security political head John Best said he was unaware of the incident, but protection would be provided after a police investigation.
“It is standard procedure for all ward councillors to open a case with the police should they feel threatened. And on the basis of that investigation, we will provide protection.”