By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma received a hostile reception on Monday when she visited the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
Enoch Mgijima residents have been on a prolonged protest, complaining about electricity cuts, potholes, and lack of water.
Dlamini Zuma held a meeting with leaders of the Komani Protest Action (KPA) committee at Komani Resorts hotel, where they demanded the dissolution of the municipality.
The meeting became heated and Dlamini Zuma left the room, apparently to call the President. She was heard asking, while on the phone, where the President and the director-general were, saying she did not want to commit herself to dissolving the municipality.
“I want the President’s advice on this matter. I don’t want to lie to the people,” she was overheard saying, before returning to the meeting.
KPA member Axolile Masiza said they had only one demand: dissolve the municipality.
“We told her that we cannot wait until the Cabinet meeting. We also warned her that the shutdown on Tuesday would be moving to Whittlesea, Ezibeleni, Tarkastad and Molteno, all under the Enoch Mgijima municipality.”
Masiza said it was at this point that Dlamini Zuma left the meeting to call the President.
“We also told her about the lack of service delivery in the town and how the town has deteriorated,” said Masiza.
After meeting with the KPA, Dlamini Zuma addressed hundreds of angry Komani residents who had gathered in the town centre. She promised that their demands would be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting.
“I don’t want to lie to you because I cannot make a decision as a minister alone and dissolve the municipality. The decision… needs to be taken by Cabinet. I will ask the President to put this item in our next Cabinet meeting,” she said.
Meanwhile, Komani businesses and Sakeliga, a nonprofit organisation, are going the legal route to force a dissolution of the municipality.
Sakeliga and its partners, the Komani branch of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business and the Civic and Ratepayers Association of Enoch Mgijima have initiated legal proceedings against the government over the dismal state of the municipality.