They want big guns to step down after arrests.
HUNDREDS of Buffalo City Metro (BCM) employees intensified their calls for the city’s leaders to step down pending an outcome on the criminal charges they face.
Around 600 South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) members yesterday downed tools and marched on the East London City Hall calling for the immediate suspension of mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and her co-accused.
Ncitha, deputy mayor Temba Tinta, metro speaker Luleka SimonNdzele, senior councillor Sindiswa Gomba, BCM official Ondela Mahlangu and the ANC’s regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo were arrested following investigations by the Hawks into the alleged misuse of money budgeted for memorial services for Nelson Mandela last year.
They were arrested on charges of money-laundering and fraud.
Yesterday’s march included BCM employees from King William’s Town, Mdantsane and East London.
The group brought the East London central business district to a standstill when they marched from the North End stadium escorted by a heavy presence of police and lawenforcement officers.
The march was also supported by Samwu members from Amathole District Municipality.
Samwu regional secretary Goodman Nombila said the workers were angry that the metro leaders who were facing criminal charges were still in office and could tamper with evidence internally.
“We are saying down with corruption and are calling for the second time now for the suspension of these officials or absence in office,” Nombila said.
The workers chanted outside the city hall calling for the removal of Ncitha and accused her of being a thief. It was not clear where the mayor was at the time.
A memorandum of demand was handed over to local government and traditional affairs’ chairman of standing committee Mninawa Nyusile.
Among the demands was that all those implicated “in looting Mandela funds” should step aside so that investigations can proceed without hindrance.
An additional seven days was given to the department and BCM to respond to the demands.
Earlier this month Samwu threatened to go on strike should the officials fail to step down by this week. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Marchers target city officials
HUNDREDS of Buffalo City Metro (BCM) employees intensified their calls for the city’s leaders to step down pending an outcome on the criminal charges they face.
Around 600 South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) members yesterday downed tools and marched on the East London City Hall calling for the immediate suspension of mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and her co-accused.
Ncitha, deputy mayor Temba Tinta, metro speaker Luleka SimonNdzele, senior councillor Sindiswa Gomba, BCM official Ondela Mahlangu and the ANC’s regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo were arrested following investigations by the Hawks into the alleged misuse of money budgeted for memorial services for Nelson Mandela last year.
They were arrested on charges of money-laundering and fraud.
Yesterday’s march included BCM employees from King William’s Town, Mdantsane and East London.
The group brought the East London central business district to a standstill when they marched from the North End stadium escorted by a heavy presence of police and lawenforcement officers.
The march was also supported by Samwu members from Amathole District Municipality.
Samwu regional secretary Goodman Nombila said the workers were angry that the metro leaders who were facing criminal charges were still in office and could tamper with evidence internally.
“We are saying down with corruption and are calling for the second time now for the suspension of these officials or absence in office,” Nombila said.
The workers chanted outside the city hall calling for the removal of Ncitha and accused her of being a thief. It was not clear where the mayor was at the time.
A memorandum of demand was handed over to local government and traditional affairs’ chairman of standing committee Mninawa Nyusile.
Among the demands was that all those implicated “in looting Mandela funds” should step aside so that investigations can proceed without hindrance.
An additional seven days was given to the department and BCM to respond to the demands.
Earlier this month Samwu threatened to go on strike should the officials fail to step down by this week. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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