The Kimberley Action Group says it is forging ahead with its plans for a shutdown that aims to bring the city to a standstill.
THE KIMBERLEY Action Group said it was moving forward with its plans for a shutdown intended to bring the city to a standstill on October 28.
The group had given the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs until October 16 to intervene regarding high electricity prices and demands for the dissolution of the Sol Plaatje council.
Boyce Makodi from the Kimberley Action Group said yesterday that they had not received any response to their grievances.
“A large number of people have indicated an interest in taking part in a march. The taxi industry, which has its own unresolved issues, will add to the impact of the shutdown that aims to highlight our concerns. We will engage with business but if they do not wish to participate, the shutdown will still go ahead,” said Makodi.
He added that every attempt would be made to ensure that the march was peaceful.
“We will have marshals in place. However, we do not rule out the possibility of instigators who may try to take advantage of the situation.”
The movement is demanding the immediate removal of the mayor and wants allegations of financial mismanagement and severe service delivery and administrative failures at Sol Plaatje Municipality to be investigated.
It also called for an investigation into the R2.5 billion Budget Facility for Infrastructure funding, as well as all contracts and tender processes that emanate from these projects.
It believes that various contracts awarded by the municipality were manipulated to favour certain service providers.
The group has also demanded that a fresh Section 106 investigation be launched and that the recommendations of the 2018 investigation be revisited and implemented.
“We believe that the municipality is staying afloat because residents and businesses are being incorrectly billed, while there is the illegal movement of funds between accounts.”
It further highlighted the shortage of traffic officers, especially to police illegal taxis, as well as ensuring that the impounding of pirate taxis be expedited.
“Taxis and cabs are allowed to operate without the proper documentation. We suspect that this situation is being exacerbated by politicians who are operating their own illegal taxis.”
