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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned that the ANC’s infighting in Dr JS Moroka local municipality is affecting the functionality of schools and service delivery in Siyabuswa and surrounding areas.

There has been a total shut-down of schools and service delivery for the last week in Siyabuswa and surrounding areas after Thami Kubheka, Municipal Manager of Dr JS Moroka local municipality was suspended following allegations of corruption.

Residents have been embarking on a protest against the suspension of Kubheka. They have been on the rampage since Monday last week and blocked all municipality employees from entering the premises. Schools have also been affected in the area and roads have been blockaded with burning tyres and rocks. Some residents cannot even go to work because of the violent protest.

Learners have been kept from school, while businesses are not operating due to the violent protest action. This is tantamount to a disaster not only for the town but the province as a whole

Mayor Thulare Madileng suspended Kubheka on July 12 pending an investigation into allegations of corruption levelled against him. The residents are insisting that Kubheka is not corrupt, but the Mayor who suspended him is the one that is corrupt.

Service delivery is one of the biggest challenges facing the Mpumalanga Government. It cannot be allowed that the very same ANC, who are not delivering services, are hampering Dr JS Moroka municipality’s economy and are compromising the right of learners to be educated.

Residents have had to contend with limited service delivery and scarce job opportunities while political interference and factionalism within the municipality takes centre stage.

It is unfortunate that municipalities have now been turned into political power battlegrounds for the ANC in Mpumalanga, forgetting their core mandate of providing services to communities throughout the province.

The DA urges Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and CoGTA MEC Mandla Msibi to intervene in this municipality as a matter of urgency before it collapses entirely.

It is time that this municipality is placed under administration so that a competent administrator can restore order in the municipality and ensure that financial management and maladministration are dealt with effectively.

Issued by The DA