WeeklySA_AdminSHUTDOWN:Local activists angry over launch of city’s metro police
By Mchael Tlhakudi
With local government elections about three weeks away, Mangaung metro municipality in the Free State is facing yet another challenge, this after the newly established Metro Police protested this week outside the municipal offices demanding appointment letters.
The closure of the Mangaung municipal offices on Wednesday morning for better part of the day by the Metro Police is allegedly due to their appointment letters not having been signed by the municipal officials.
Residents of Bloemfontein and surrounding areas were left in the cold after the recent disruptions by Mangaung Metro Police, leaving municipal employees and IEC employees stranded outside their offices after the temporary closure of entrances to the Bram Fischer Building.
Last week, the Mangaung Service Delivery Forum (MSDF) plans to halt the launch of the Metro Police were successful after they vowed to continue with the total shutdown in the Ccity. They said the cash-strapped Metro did not have sufficient budget to launch Metro Police.
This comes after they reached an amicable solution regarding their plea to have the Mangaung Metro police launch halted, citing irregularities. The two parties then resolved to suspend the total shutdown that was planned to stop the Metro Police launch.
However, following the agreement with the Metro management, provincial government and MSDF, the Metro Police were seen last weekend patrolling the streets on Mangaung during the visit of ANC Deputy President David Mabuza on an election campaign in Bloemfontein, which caused dissatisfaction among the concerned group of local residents who barricaded roads with burning tyres and rocks.
However, police were quick to disperse the crowds and Mabuza’s visit continued without hassles. In May, residents of Mangaung heeded a call for a total shutdown, and very few people reported for work and schools were closed.
The organisers of the shutdown were calling for the disbanding of the Mangaung Metro council and the removal of the city manager. One person died and scores injured while shops owned by foreign nationals were looted during the three- day shutdown.
Labour unions and oppositions have also been complaining about alleged appointments of Metro police personnel with criminal records. Chairperson of the Forum,Potso Motoko says the Metro is skating on a thin ice. “How can you launch Metro Police while the ordinary citizens are struggling with basic service delivery.
“Look at the roads in the city, are horrible, residents are struggling with water and sanitation.Garbage is not being picked up in many areas.We will continue to have the Metro prioritize service delivery,”he said. DA’s Mokgadi Kganakga said they’re disgruntled by the fact that many employees have been prohibited to enter the building since the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“The Mangaung Metro Police allegedly closed off the entrances to the building as they are yet to receive their appointment letters, adds Kganakga.
“ This is unfair, it’s not right. Where is the mayor? The city manager went in here but we haven’t seen any signs of the mayor. All of our rights were not being taken into consideration,” added Kganakga. “The only thing they care about is their appointment letters, which could have been resolved in a meeting between their bosses and the municipality’s bosses,” she continued.
Some of citizens were unhappy with the implementation of the Mangaung Metro Police citing lack of sufficient budget for the project. One of the Residents, Kelebogile Mokoena, said this week events once again proves that the ANC-led Mangaung does not have the ability to implement and effectively manage a metro police force.
“If the Metro cannot even sign appointment letters on time, how do they expect to govern an entire Metro she asked. Mangaung Metro said they have noted unlawful conduct of Metro Police employees and were surprised by the turn of events.
“Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has noted with surprise the unlawful blockage of the municipality head office precinct which includes the City Hall and the main building (Bramfischer Building) by its metro police employees said Acting City Manager Sello More .
“The municipality apologises to the employees, councillors and public at large for the inconvenience caused” he said
He added all municipal services, particularly at Bram Fischer, have been restored and operations are continuing normally. Meanwhile during the protest, the IEC office situated next to City Hall was temporarily closed. IEC spokesperson in the Free State, Mathabo Rasengane, said that staff members of the IEC offices were unable to access the building and were unable to work for most of the morning.
She says the IEC has an increasingly important mandate, which is to facilitate the elections. They were unable to do that because of the situation at hand.She says that their work schedules and preparation for the election was temporarily interrupted.
Mangaung Metro Executive Mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana has promised they he and his team will work around the clock to accelerate service deleivery and fight corruption in the Metro.
