More than 100 disgruntled residents from Buffalo City Metro’s Ward 24 protested outside the East London City Hall yesterday demanding electricity connections and the removal of their ward councillor, Zameka Gajula.The residents – from Msintsi village and Mbekweni just outside Mdantsane – took their long-unattended grievances to BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi and council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele.
Determined to fight for their rights, the residents took a train ride early in the morning before they gathered at the North End stadium where police and law enforcement officers were ready to escort the marchers.
March convener Xolisa Koka said the residents were sick and tired of “empty promises” from their ward councillor, whom they last had a meeting with in October concerning the plea for electricity.
“We have been staying in that area for more than a decade now and there is no electricity. People are resorting to illegal electricity connections because they are desperate to have electricity but not everyone is taking part in that.
“We have elderly people who can no longer collect wood to cook now and they are forced to live without electricity.”
The protesters marched from the stadium, making their way to the city hall where they chanted that they wanted Gajula to be removed from office.
The residents, including young and elderly people, carried placards that read: “Zameka has failed us”, “Zameka Must Fall” and “After 21 years of democracy still no electricity”.
Another resident Luvuyo Jack said: “In 2013 we had five children that burnt to death in a shack due to illegal electricity connections in our village.
“Had there been electricity that would not have happened. We have cases of crime in this area because criminals take advantage of the situation and rob people.
“It is dark around here and really in such a modern time we can’t be living like this,” Jack said, adding that reports to the office of the premier “were fruitless”.
Parents complained that their children struggled with school work due to the darkness in their homes.
The residents gave Mtsi 14 days to respond to their grievances, a demand Mtsi said they would respond to.
He said: “We have received the memorandum and we will respond to them within the 14 days they have given to us.
“We will need to meet with the residents again because electricity supply is Eskom’s duty.
“We need to sit with them, Eskom, our planning department and their ward councillor to see how we can resolve this matter.”
Responding to the call to remove Gajula, speaker Simon-Ndzele said the decision to remove a ward councillor was not a simple matter.
As the council they would have to investigate the matter before any action was taken, she said. — mamelag@disaptch.co.za
Villagers march for power
The residents – from Msintsi village and Mbekweni just outside Mdantsane – took their long-unattended grievances to BCM mayor Alfred Mtsi and council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele.
Determined to fight for their rights, the residents took a train ride early in the morning before they gathered at the North End stadium where police and law enforcement officers were ready to escort the marchers.
March convener Xolisa Koka said the residents were sick and tired of “empty promises” from their ward councillor, whom they last had a meeting with in October concerning the plea for electricity.
“We have been staying in that area for more than a decade now and there is no electricity. People are resorting to illegal electricity connections because they are desperate to have electricity but not everyone is taking part in that.
“We have elderly people who can no longer collect wood to cook now and they are forced to live without electricity.”
The protesters marched from the stadium, making their way to the city hall where they chanted that they wanted Gajula to be removed from office.
The residents, including young and elderly people, carried placards that read: “Zameka has failed us”, “Zameka Must Fall” and “After 21 years of democracy still no electricity”.
Another resident Luvuyo Jack said: “In 2013 we had five children that burnt to death in a shack due to illegal electricity connections in our village.
“Had there been electricity that would not have happened. We have cases of crime in this area because criminals take advantage of the situation and rob people.
“It is dark around here and really in such a modern time we can’t be living like this,” Jack said, adding that reports to the office of the premier “were fruitless”.
Parents complained that their children struggled with school work due to the darkness in their homes.
The residents gave Mtsi 14 days to respond to their grievances, a demand Mtsi said they would respond to.
He said: “We have received the memorandum and we will respond to them within the 14 days they have given to us.
“We will need to meet with the residents again because electricity supply is Eskom’s duty.
“We need to sit with them, Eskom, our planning department and their ward councillor to see how we can resolve this matter.”
Responding to the call to remove Gajula, speaker Simon-Ndzele said the decision to remove a ward councillor was not a simple matter.
As the council they would have to investigate the matter before any action was taken, she said. — mamelag@disaptch.co.za
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