Minister Mkhize concern over Stutt
Co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Zweli Mkhize expressed concern over the living conditions of some of Stutterheim residents during an oversight visit to the troubled Amahlati Local Municipality on Friday.
Mkhize, who was accompanied by Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa, visited Stutterheim and Keiskammahoek in Amahlati and conducted a walkabout at Mlungisi township.
The two visited the municipality to engage the community on issues raised during a previous visit in 2018.
He visited two families living in dilapidated structures.
Speaking with Mkhize inside their one-bedroom mudhouse, Noxolo Kula said every time the weather was poor, the family prayed they would survive.
“We are always on our knees saying ‘God is alive’. It’s been years living in these conditions. My mother has not been here for a while, and I was living with my brother who is mentally ill,” Kula said.
Mkhize said he had asked local leaders about their living circumstances and was told there was a plan to move them elsewhere while they waited for their turn on the department of human settlements housing list.
On the sidelines of the visit, Xasa said the provincial government has seen a lot of progress and positive change at the municipality since their intervention.
“We have a team that is working here, led by an administrator. The ANC also affected some changes of leadership. We have a new mayor, speaker and chief whip. Where they have to do something is in the executive of the municipality,” Xasa said.
He said the minister’s visit was also to check on projects that came about after protests rocked the Keiskammahoek area...
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