Celani Sikhakhane
So desperate is ward councillor Linda Mlaba to get attention that he is prepared to strip off most of his clothes.
The community of Estcourt, KZN has not had water for weeks and Mlaba is tired of not being able to give them answers and having his leadership questioned.
On Friday, he protested outside of the uThukela District Municipality offices in Ladysmith wearing only his yellow shorts.
“I had no choice but to be half-naked so that they could see that I’m under serious pressure from my community. I’ve been the councillor for 13 years and now the people are criticising me,” said Mlaba, ward councillor of ward 13 in the iNkosi Langalibalele Dube Local Municipality.
“When I go to the district offices they pretend they are listening but they don’t do anything. In my ward we get water from a dam that the cattle and donkeys use,” he said.
Mlaba said the municipality promised to provide water tanks but they never arrived. Mlaba has even gone as far as using his own trucks to supply water.
He revealed that the district Municipality had received almost R1 billion for this year and it’s core mandate is to bring water to the people but nothing has ever been done.
uThukela Mayor, Siphiwe Mazibuko said they were shocked by Mlaba’s actions.
“As much as we understand his concerns it is shocking to see a man of his age coming to the public space half-naked,” said Mazibuko.
“On the issue of water, I am going to talk to the officials so that I can get an update.”
