By Anita Dangazele
For years now, Mthatha has been seen as a city with soaring rates of murder and violent crime while the leadership has done very little to step in and do something about the situation.
On Monday, however, King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality Mayor Nyaniso Nelani finally admitted that the city had become a very dangerous place to live in.
Mthatha has been plagued by murders of well-known businesspeople due to suspected battles over “protection fees”.
Just last week, Khaya Mdlalo, the 71-year-old owner of Mthatha’s Mbuqe Park Butchery, was shot dead outside his home in what is believed to be an extortion-related incident.
Addressing senior officials at a municipal retreat on Monday, Nelani said prominent people are dying day in and day out.
“There are issues of extortion where people demand protection fees from property owners and businesspeople,” he said.
“There are issues of criminality that we need to look at. We have to account.”
While criminality is a serious factor, the hijacking of run-down old buildings is one of the key problems in the city.
The city is mainly characterised by neglected structures and containers, dirty streets and potholes and is plagued by constant water and electricity outages.
Despite its overload of issues, the city is bidding to become a rural metro by 2026 but Nelani has admitted the city’s battered image was negatively affecting the city’s bid.
“As long as we have buildings that should have been demolished and as long as we have lawlessness, it will be difficult to convince the people of KSD that they are safe,” Nelani said.
He further admitted that KSD was falling behind when it came to developing and standards of operation.
Pictured above: King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality Mayor, Nyaniso Nelani.
Image source: KSD Municipality
