It has been a week since violence over housing delivery erupted in Uitenhage but we have heard no word from our Mayor.
The Executive Mayor, Benson Fihla, is the political leader of our Metro and should be at the forefront of this community unrest and come up with a plan of action to deal with the community’s concerns.
The DA is concerned that Mayor Fihla has been silent and has presented no plan of action to deal with the unrest that has led to the intimidation and injury of councillors, the death of an innocent child, as well as the destruction of municipal and private property.
Whilst we understand the frustration of the communities, the violent and lawless behaviour of protestors must be publicly condemned in the strongest terms by the Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor.
It is time for Mayor Fihla to lead from the front as his predecessor used to say. If he is not in fact a ‘lame duck’ Mayor, as asserted in the media, let’s hear his plan to lead our Metro through this volatile situation.
The DA demands that the Mayor acts to address the following issues as a matter of urgency:
- Identifying and arresting the criminals that have burned private and council property;
- An investigation into political factions that are allegedly inciting violence;
- A comprehensive audit of the community’s housing needs and a plan to address these needs;
- An urgent debate in Council on the consideration of a Sub-Council for Uitenhage and Despatch; and
- A plan to ensure the safety of non-violent community members and councillors.
The situation in Uitenhage is one of many examples of the ANC’s usual ‘over promise and under deliver’ style of government. The slow pace of housing delivery in the Nelson Mandela Bay will continue to lead to protests if the Mayor chooses not to lead.
The DA believes that the people of Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch deserve a better life.
Leon de Villiers
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