By Doreen Mokgolo
Disgruntled residents and representatives from various political parties in Ekurhuleni protested for better service delivery on Tuesday just before the city council was due to vote on the removal of the “EFF puppet” mayor.
The protestors, who gathered at the OR Tambo Government Precinct in Germiston, called for better service delivery, while others wanted the removal of political leaders.
This tense atmosphere came before a council meeting where a motion of no confidence was tabled against Sivuyile Ngodwana, the African Independent Congress mayor.
ActionSA initiated the motion and gained support from the ANC, DA, and other parties. They accused the mayor of being an “EFF puppet” and used a recent Auditor-General’s report as justification to call for his removal.
Armed with sticks and knobkerries, residents from Kathorus, Katlehong, and Thokoza demanded improved service delivery and urged politicians to find a way to cooperate.
Their protest included a threat to boycott the 29 May elections.
Nonhlanhla Mthethwa, speaking to Scrolla.Africa, voiced the residents’ disappointment.
“For over 31 years, we’ve voted in leaders, hoping they’d be better than the last. But they all let us down,” said Nonhlanhla.
“We still have power outages, emergency services can’t reach our areas, shacks burn down because fire trucks can’t get through, and we have to use wheelbarrows to transport our sick loved ones to ambulances.”
She said it seemed as if Ekurhuleni’s leaders only cared about improving their own lives.
“The promises they make disappear after they’re elected. Protesting is the only way to get their attention and make them take us seriously,” said Nonhlanhla.
Lorraine Mahlosane, the chairperson of the ANC Youth League in Ekurhuleni, clarified the league’s presence at the protest.
“We want the ANC leadership to publicly denounce their collaboration with the EFF and distance themselves from it,” she said.
Pictured above: Residents from Kathorus, Katlehong, and Thokoza at the protest.
Image source: Doreen Mokgolo
