MEC sees red over mayors’ no-show
Economic development, environmental affairs and tourism MEC Oscar Mabuyane has blasted five mayors who snubbed an event meant to discuss economic growth and transformation in the Chris Hani district.
Out of the six mayors of local municipality in the district, only Inxuba Yethemba mayor Ray Shweni attended Wednesday night’s event.
Mabuyane delivered the keynote address at the Komani Black Management Forum executive debate, with the theme: SOE as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and transformation.
Mabuyane said he had extended an invitation to Sakhisizwe and Emalahleni acting mayor Nolitha Lali, Enoch Mgijima mayor Sisisi Tolashe, Intsika Yethu first resident Jongumzi Cengani, Engcobo’s Lizeka Bongo-Tyali and Sakhisizwe acting mayor Buyiswa Mtsere, but none pitched.
“I am disappointed by the mayors that are not attending as this is their constituency. The things said here need to be taken to their logical conclusions and that needs them as they are the ones who are championing their IDPs [integrated development plans]. Their absence in events like these is worrying because we must engage people and be robust as leaders,” Mabuyane said.Bongo-Tyali told the Dispatch she could not attend the debate because she had been preparing for Thursday’s event where Mabuyane also attended in Ngcobo.
Mtsere said she had to attend a government event in East London.
“I thought our appointment was going to be short as it was set for 11am but it started late and I could not attend the event. I will write an apology to the MEC apologising about not attending, this thing affected me badly,” she said.
The other absent mayors’ phones rang unanswered and could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.
BMF provincial chair Mfundo Tsheketshe said: “We need to change the situation where people who don’t have qualifications are employed in strategic positions.”
Businesswoman Nomaswazi Kunene complained of a lack of government support.
“In Cacadu there is a problem of sex for jobs and if you are not sleeping with people you are not going to get a job,” she said.
Mabuyane agreed, saying that should be a thing of the past.
“The sex for jobs scandal is prevalent in our days, recently we were hit by the same problem in our provincial offices but it is difficult to get evidence on the matter as this is done between two people,” he said.
He said they have taken a no-nonsense approach on corruption and they have appointed an arbitrator in the province which will deal with the tender corruption.
ANC Youth League Chris Hani regional secretary Aphiwe Mkhangelwa called for a generation mix into position of leadership...
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