By LULAMILE FENI
Two years after being fined for keeping chiefs and traditional leaders waiting for hours, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa yesterday finally paid his dues.
Holomisa visited Mpheko village in Mthatha – the home village of Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle – where he handed over an ox to traditional leaders.
Holomisa arrived at Chief No- Itally Mtirara’s Mpheko Great Place escorted by a dozen horses, some bearing the UDM flag.
He was accompanied by provincial UDM spokesman Gogo Mabandla and other party members.
“I had to bring this ox after we were punished by the traditional leaders for our transgression in 2014. This is a sign that we respect traditional leaders and their decision,” said Holomisa.
Asked why it had taken him two years to pay the fine, Holomisa said he had not been given a deadline.
The ox, which was taken to the great place by some of the UDM members, was slaughtered a few hours before Holomisa and Mabandla arrived.
Mtirara, who leads 22 villages in Mthatha West, and her traditional leaders welcomed Holomisa but did not make any public statements concerning the fine.
“We welcome this. Every part must know that the great place is for everyone,” said Mtirara.
Holomisa also used the event to campaign for his party and introduce the UDM ward candidate for the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality’s ward 14.
The General, as he is known, said the UDM had made inroads in many areas and they wanted to regain control of the local municipality.
“This is time to cover lost ground and regain the KSD,” he said.
Holomisa described Mthatha as a shadow of its former self and said the infrastructure in Mthatha, Mqanduli and Coffee Bay was very old.
“We will not promise people heaven and earth, but we would look at adequate funding and work hard to improve the rotten infrastructure. Currently the infrastructure has collapsed.”
Earlier during a private meeting, traditional leaders requested Holomisa assist them in a number of things.
They complained of the access road, water and community hall.
Mpheko village headman Gcinumthetho Moni said: “Other areas collect water from the streams. In other areas, there is not even that water to be shared with animals.”
ANC leaders were also busy campaigning in the same areas ruled by Mtirara.
Some ANC leaders said that they were expecting Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to visit the area, but by the time the Dispatch left yesterday afternoon Mbalula had still not
arrived. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Holomisa pays his dues for late arrival
Two years after being fined for keeping chiefs and traditional leaders waiting for hours, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa yesterday finally paid his dues.
Holomisa visited Mpheko village in Mthatha – the home village of Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle – where he handed over an ox to traditional leaders.
Holomisa arrived at Chief No- Itally Mtirara’s Mpheko Great Place escorted by a dozen horses, some bearing the UDM flag.
He was accompanied by provincial UDM spokesman Gogo Mabandla and other party members.
“I had to bring this ox after we were punished by the traditional leaders for our transgression in 2014. This is a sign that we respect traditional leaders and their decision,” said Holomisa.
Asked why it had taken him two years to pay the fine, Holomisa said he had not been given a deadline.
The ox, which was taken to the great place by some of the UDM members, was slaughtered a few hours before Holomisa and Mabandla arrived.
Mtirara, who leads 22 villages in Mthatha West, and her traditional leaders welcomed Holomisa but did not make any public statements concerning the fine.
“We welcome this. Every part must know that the great place is for everyone,” said Mtirara.
Holomisa also used the event to campaign for his party and introduce the UDM ward candidate for the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality’s ward 14.
The General, as he is known, said the UDM had made inroads in many areas and they wanted to regain control of the local municipality.
“This is time to cover lost ground and regain the KSD,” he said.
Holomisa described Mthatha as a shadow of its former self and said the infrastructure in Mthatha, Mqanduli and Coffee Bay was very old.
“We will not promise people heaven and earth, but we would look at adequate funding and work hard to improve the rotten infrastructure. Currently the infrastructure has collapsed.”
Earlier during a private meeting, traditional leaders requested Holomisa assist them in a number of things.
They complained of the access road, water and community hall.
Mpheko village headman Gcinumthetho Moni said: “Other areas collect water from the streams. In other areas, there is not even that water to be shared with animals.”
ANC leaders were also busy campaigning in the same areas ruled by Mtirara.
Some ANC leaders said that they were expecting Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula to visit the area, but by the time the Dispatch left yesterday afternoon Mbalula had still not
arrived. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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