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Continued electrical cable breakages, sub-station malfunctions and loadshedding are bringing the once thriving economy in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality to its knees. Service delivery has collapsed and eKomani and all surrounding villages are filthy, roads are impassable and street lights are a thing of the past. Sewage flows freely down streets in all towns.

Extended periods without any power, in some cases more than a week, have not only destroyed many businesses and jobs, but have cost millions in damaged goods, including medication and foodstuffs.

People have taken to the streets again today to demand that the municipality be dissolved. Unfortunately, protesters have in some cases become violent and the police have responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. While the DA understands the frustrations of the protesters, we will never condone violence, intimidation or the damage of property.

Some protesters believe that service delivery has collapsed since the municipality was placed under administration, which is being managed by the National Cabinet Representative since November last year.

This is simply not true. Service delivery has progressively collapsed over several years because the corrupt ANC –led administration has systematically looted municipal coffers by paying themselves ridiculously bloated salaries with monies due to Eskom. They have corrupted tender processes by ensuring that tenders go to corrupt cadres, and employed cadres that have no capacity whatsoever.  They have invested almost nothing in upgrading essential electrical and water infrastructure.

I will write to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Zolile Williams, as well as the Minister of COGTA to request that provincial and national government ramp up efforts to bring the Municipal Manager, the Chief Financial Officer and the Mayor to order or give them their marching orders.

The Premier of the province refuses to get involved, stating that he has no jurisdiction over local municipalities, although this has not stopped him from interfering in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. He must understand this: protecting corrupt cadres who have all but destroyed local government will not end well for him.

The DA will continue to fight for the right of all residents in Enoch Mgijima to access regular and adequate basic services, as enshrined in our constitution.

Issued by Jane Cowley, MPL - Enoch Mgijima Constituency Leader