An attempted break-in at the offices of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality municipal public accounts committee has left staff concerned about their safety.
In the early hours of Saturday, a gang attempted to break in to the Oxford offices, however a scuffle with one of the security personnel ensued, leading to the perpetrators fleeing.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Mpac chairperson Zodwa Kodwa-Gajula said the attempted break-in was concerning and posed a safety risk.
“When a female security guard went to the bathroom, she saw them trying to break in and she alerted her male counterpart.
“A fight ensued and the female guard screamed and they fled.”
In July this year, someone threw a petrol bomb into Gajula’s yard, setting part of her house alight.
Recently, a damning report into maladministration by her committee has been the subject of a political tussle and was supposed to be tabled in council a few weeks back but was shelved at the eleventh hour.
The report fingers a number of senior municipal officials.
It has not yet been tabled in council but is already the subject of an objection and a complaint has also been lodged with the public protector.
Asked if she thought the attempted break in was linked to the report, Gajula said it was hard to tell
Council speaker Alfred Mtsi echoed similar sentiments: “It is a major concern because it can be interpreted in many ways because what were their intentions. The role of that office deals with serious issues including investigation.”
East London police spokesperson WO Hazel Mqala said a case of malicious damage to property had been opened.
No arrests have been made...