Premier Mabuza responds to the demands of Mayflower protestors
14 March 2013
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza today [Thursday, 14 March 2013] responded to the demands of Mayflower protestors but again stressed his condemnation of criminal behaviour when protesting.
The Premier stood on a mobile stage of a Gert Sibande District loud hailing truck which also has a built-in sound system and addressed a huge gathering at a local stadium.
The Premier told the people that the regional leadership of the ruling party had taken a decision to recall the “imposed troublesome” councillor form the position. The Premier’s announcement was well received by the crowd who whistled and shouted with excitement.
“As from today your ward will be vacant, we have asked the councillor to excuse himself from the position because of the reasons you have stated. The onus now lies with you to find a new councillor who will work according to your expectations,” said Mabuza.
The Premier further asked the property developers who are supposed to build a shopping complex in the area to give feedback to the people.
Mr Benjy Bapela announced to the crowd that the contractors would be on site as from the beginning of July this year and again the complex would be officially opened in the beginning of November this year.
Mr Bapela explained that they had serious challenges which led in them delayed in commencing the construction of the shopping complex in the area.
Mabuza however pleaded with the crowd to work with property developers as they would be investing their monies in the area.
“Do not shout at them, they are bringing their money here. Once the Mall has been completed you should go and buy there, and not burn it down. We cannot bring development here and instead not appreciate it,” said Mabuza.
He explained that there would be job opportunities during construction and after the shopping complex had been built.
Regarding the clinic, Mabuza committed himself that he would bring a mobile clinic twice a week in the area as there was no budget and that there were no plans to build a new one in the coming financial year.
He also explained that there their population was small in order for government to build a permanent clinic in their area.
With regards to the RDP houses which the community complained about, the Premier said as a Comprehensive Rural Development Programme site, the Chief Albert Local Municipality would benefit at least 900 houses.
Further, as an immediate intervention, the provincial Department of Human Settlement has been tasked by the honourable Premier to complete 131 RDP houses in 100 days.
These 131 houses are part of those incomplete houses which were supposed to be built by the Department of Human Settlements and would now be speedily concluded within 100 days.
The Premier also told them that he would give them a grader to improve the local roads as “indeed their concerns are genuine” and needed attention from the leadership.
He told them that their problems were mainly caused by huge unemployment which needed an urgent solution. He decried the distance between the leaders and the people that it was also creating problems for government.
“We will continue to come closer to the people. We will have no choice but enforce the structural relationship between community leaders and the people they lead. It will have to be mandatory for the leaders to call meetings and engage the community. We will demand reports of the meetings and what people demands.
“I see these people have energy of burning down their own properties, really it is wasted, it must be used correctly on the things that would benefit them and their community. I want to deal with this problem head on, I believe nothing is impossible,” said Mabuza.
He said the youth needed to form cooperatives and work for themselves.
“I am pleading with the councillors not to run away from the people. We need to give them feedback constantly in order to keep them on the same page with our plans. If we work together, our province and South Africa will be a better place,” said Mabuza.
The crowds dispersed quietly and some were heard saying the war was over.
Issued by Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Tel: (013) 766 – 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@mpg.gov.za