The IFP is deeply concerned over the wave of service delivery protests that have erupted in municipalities, especially in the eThekwini Municipality, as well as the ANC government’s response to these protests.
“We call on the eThekwini Mayor to listen to the concerns raised by the Folweni residents who staged a service delivery protest recently. Does he not understand that people pay his salary? Or does he not understand that his being a mayor can be taken away by the voters? We believe that interaction with communities directly is the best way to find out their views on government, what their service delivery frustrations are, but also to ensure that they participate in the general governance of their region,” said IFP National Chairperson, Mr Blessed Gwala.
“The mayor must hold a community forum to answer all questions and concerns in the interim. We are also demanding that officials be held accountable for the on-going neglect of residents’ human rights. It is clear that citizens are angry and frustrated over the many promises that have been made and broken by the ANC government and are tired of the struggles they have to face on a daily basis due to a lack of proper housing, sanitation, access to water and electricity,” continued Mr Gwala.
“The protests are an indication that people are growing impatient with the ANC and that it has lost moral ground and legitimacy in the eyes of these communities. It is about the collapse of the ANC leadership at local level. The party is not in touch with the people. Grievances can’t always translate into protest.
These protests must be a wake-up call to the eThekwini Municipality because people at grassroots level are disillusioned by the poor performance of the ANC-led metro,” concluded Mr Gwala.
The IFP believes it is imperative that ratepayers stop footing the bill while corrupt, inept municipal officials continuously fail to spend the rates paid to them on the adequate delivery of basic services with no action being taken against these officials by the ANC government.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala, IFP National Chairperson, 078 290 5842
For Media Enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase, IFP KZN Legislature Media Officer, 073 024 5675