KwaZulu-Natal MEC’s for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, as well Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nomusa Dube Ncube have strongly condemned the burning of Mngeni Municipality offices, saying it was totally unacceptable and a criminal act.
It is alleged that Municipal workers, who were apparently demanding a wage increase, attacked the art and culture offices of the municipality and further attempted a break in to the Mayors private residence (Mrs Mbali Mnyeni) where they emptied refuse containers at the weekend.
MEC Mchunu yesterday strongly condemned this action, saying it was a disgrace, uncalled for and needed to be condemned with “all the contempt it deserves.”
“It sets back the programme of delivery as the municipality now has to divert money for service delivery to fix the damage that should not have happened in the first place” said Mchunu.
Cogta MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said she was outraged by this incident which she suspects included an attempt to intimidate the Mayor and her family.
“ As government we recognise the constitutional right to unhappiness within the legal prescripts by any member of society, but we deplore violence, intimidation and destruction of property built at the tax payers’ expense.” We call on the law enforcement agencies to take whatever action is necessary to bring those responsible for this dastardly dead to book.
It is abundantly clear that criminal elements have hijacked the situation because South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) would have exhausted all the legal options to express their grievances including approaching the Office of the MEC” Said Dube-Ncube.
The MECs also expressed a feeling that those found to be liable be immediately claimed for this damage to people’s property.
