‘Politics of the belly’ make councillors a target
The region named after our struggle stalwart, Nelson Mandela, is witnessing unprecedented events of brutal killings of ward-based councillors.
What we are now seeing is becoming a worrisome state of the region.
The matter does not only affect councillors, but the community of Gqeberha and Kariega, the latter formerly known as Uitenhage or Tinarha.
Leaders in the region should play a pivotal role in ensuring that leaders in our communities are protected from thuggish acts.
Not so long ago we laid to rest Cllr Mzwandile Booi from Ward 20 (Kwazakhele).
Following that traumatic incident in February, Cllr Doda’s life from Ward 55 in Motherwell was threatened by thugs who were trying to solicit money from him.
Cllr Notshe from Ward 30 was also threatened.
The ongoing trend should be stopped before it spreads widely in our communities.
Ward councillors are the voice of those who elected them into these positions.
It means they represent the needs and aspirations of our communities.
It might not be certain why these incidents have occurred in this region, but it is vital to highlight that no-one should die at the hands of another human being.
Politics of the belly are slowly changing how the ruling party does things.
Some would say it is the battle of securing a ‘bag’.
It seems in SA there is no law and order.
Strange enough, though, these murders occur in a nation with the best constitution in the world.
We have learnt how political killings happened during the dark days of apartheid and shortly after we elected the country’s first democratic government.
In politics nowadays, when leaders disagree on issues pertaining to factions or strategic development issues, some resort to killing.
This year’s killings and shootings directed at our councillors are not the first incidents in this region.
We are slowly becoming a region of mafias and vigilante acts at the expense of those whom we believe have the abilities to drive locally based agendas.
Whatever happens at ward level always affects communities.
Acts of violence are a stumbling block in developing and delivering services to our people.
How will these ward councillors reach out to local communities if their lives are at stake?
No councillor would appear at public meetings or attend to community grievances and needs.
Until there’s an official report why these incidents occurred, we can only speculate.
Political-related killings are nothing new.
Those who did history as a subject would know how the Kennedy brothers were assassinated in the US.
The truth of the matter is that these are delaying tactics.
The municipality and state security agencies such as the SAPS should put a plan in place to curb this growing pandemic.
I do not believe that, if this trend continues at this pace, the city will be able to deliver on its mission and vision.
There is definitely a sense of reluctance from those who will be elected democratically to fill all these positions left by councillors.
As SA we are heading towards a disastrous state of our future.
The country needs to find its feet.
In the past, and recently, we have seen ANC leaders gunned down.
Without a doubt these killings are politically related.
It is not only this region that is facing this pandemic.
When “comrades” do not agree on who should be elevated to certain political positions, there are sometimes incidents of this nature.
What happened to the battle of ideas in the organisation of OR Tambo?
I once wrote that the ANC should never lose its sense of direction over factions and elective conferences.
I had always thought elective conferences were meant to strengthen the organisation, not tear it apart.
Party politics should be contained in a way that they do not distract from how the country is governed.
The battle of ideas and ideology should be paramount in driving SA’s needs, desires and aspirations. Zamuxolo Nduna, Academic in the field of politics and education, writing in his personal capacity