Dear Editor
Twenty days without lights, a hot meal and hot water. That is the reality that has been the daily lived experience of thousands of residents of the collapsing Inxuba Yethemba Municipality.
In desperation residents of Cradock and Middelburg have taken to the streets to act against the municipality’s electricity blocking spree due to alleged arrears and non-payment.
Residents have protested in the streets and at municipal buildings in Cradock and recently also blocked the N10 at the entrance to Cradock. They are accusing the municipality of rude customer relations, inaccurate accounts, flawed internal processes, a lack of quality basic services, and administrative and political infighting.
On 7 February 2024, I wrote to the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Zolile Williams, to demand that he intervene to resolve the mounting conflict between residents and the council’s political leadership. We did not receive any feedback. I have in the past also personally met with the MEC to request his intervention.
We have now written to the mayor as well as the Speaker and Chief Whip of the ANC-governed council requesting that in terms of council rules, they urgently convene a special council meeting to deal with this crisis. Urgent solutions to the problem must be discussed and resolutions taken to remedy the situation.
The administration and ANC-led council have brought the municipality into disrepute. Maladministration, corruption, and political infighting have financially and administratively finally paralyzed the municipality.
The Council has a role to ensure decisions are made with openness and transparency while aligning to the requirements of the SA Constitution and various other legislation relevant to local government.
The DA condemns the ANC-controlled municipality’s uncaring attitude and conduct. We believe that the municipality’s action is illegal and procedurally flawed.
We will continue to fight to rescue the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality’s people and ensure they get the basic services they are entitled to.
Regards
Kobus Botha MPL
EC Midlands Constituency Leader