The DA in Thaba Chweu has been made aware of a service delivery protest currently taking place in Sabie. Protesters have illegally closed down municipal offices demanding the executive mayor to attend to their grievances.
It is understood that residents of Nkamini and Simile handed over a memorandum of demands. We have learnt that electricity and water are the two major services the residents listed in their letter.
The municipality is yet to respond to the residents and they are still without a consistent supply of water and electricity. As things stand, the municipal offices are closed and no service is rendered. It is an indictment against the Executive that residents must take to the streets and demand basic services.
We respect that residents can exercise their protesting Constitutional right and urge them to do so within the prescripts of the law. The DA strongly condemns the destruction of infrastructure and deploying violent tactics during protests.
It has become clear that the executive mayor, Friddah Nkadimeng and her ANC cadre mayoral committee have failed to provide a democratic and accountable government for communities.
Municipalities have powers and duties that directly affect the development of local areas and the daily lives of residents.
ANC cadres in Thaba Chweu need to understand that their duties include establishing clear channels of communication with local communities and being responsive to their needs.
Thaba Chweu residents should take note that they have the sole mandate of removing the corrupt ANC government when they get to the polls. The DA prides itself in practicing transparency and accountability where it governs. We remain committed to providing basic services to residents.