MORE than 15 000 people are expected to descend on Port St Johns (PSJ) today in a service delivery protest aimed at forcing the resignation of the mayor and municipal manager.
Yesterday, shops reopened after they were temporarily closed earlier in the day when South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) members went on the rampage.
Angry protesters burnt tyres and toppled concrete bins and scattered litter in streets in the town centre.
They held placards calling for the head of PSJ mayor Mthetheleli Mangqo and current acting municipal manager Fundisile Galeni.
They alleged looting, nepotism, union bashing and irregular appointments at the municipality, all at the expense of service delivery.
Samwu chairman in the PSJ local municipality Lebo Mangxa said the protesters would be transported in by bus and truck from 21 wards across the area.
Mangxa accused the ANC’s provincial leadership of “indecisiveness” in resolving grievances.
He said PSJ was paying the salaries of two municipal managers – Galeni as well as suspended manager Ncedile Jakuja – which was a waste of resources. He called on PSJ mayor Mthetheleli Mangqo to “go” for turning a blind eye to their complaints.
But cracks are already showing after Sanco called for its members to withdraw from the protest.
Provincial chairman Dr Zukile Luyenge told the Daily Dispatch: “We support their grievances but we call for engagement through peaceful means.” —
15 000 likely to join Port St Johns protest
Yesterday, shops reopened after they were temporarily closed earlier in the day when South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) members went on the rampage.
Angry protesters burnt tyres and toppled concrete bins and scattered litter in streets in the town centre.
They held placards calling for the head of PSJ mayor Mthetheleli Mangqo and current acting municipal manager Fundisile Galeni.
They alleged looting, nepotism, union bashing and irregular appointments at the municipality, all at the expense of service delivery.
Samwu chairman in the PSJ local municipality Lebo Mangxa said the protesters would be transported in by bus and truck from 21 wards across the area.
Mangxa accused the ANC’s provincial leadership of “indecisiveness” in resolving grievances.
He said PSJ was paying the salaries of two municipal managers – Galeni as well as suspended manager Ncedile Jakuja – which was a waste of resources. He called on PSJ mayor Mthetheleli Mangqo to “go” for turning a blind eye to their complaints.
But cracks are already showing after Sanco called for its members to withdraw from the protest.
Provincial chairman Dr Zukile Luyenge told the Daily Dispatch: “We support their grievances but we call for engagement through peaceful means.” —
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