Polokwane — Polokwane mayor, John Mpe, dismissed the threats of a service delivery shutdown in Seshego on Friday after social media posts suggested residents should brace for demonstrations.
Mpe said there had been no approval for the shutdown and the residents would not be allowed to turn Polokwane into a “banana republic”. He wanted to ensure the community that the rest of the week would be normal business days and he encouraged everyone to proceed with activities as usual, IOL reported.
He said the municipality remains in dialogue with residents and stakeholders, and that protests like would only be considered after all avenues of engagement were exhausted.
“Threats to force the community into unlawful action are unacceptable and will not be allowed in Polokwane,” said Mpe.
“We want to stress that no one will turn Polokwane into a banana republic of some sort, inconveniencing our residents and refusing them the right to peaceful living,” he added,
On Thursday, a small group of residents showed up for the protest and were closely monitored by different units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), eNCA reported.
The residents were upset over the exorbitant bills owed to the municipality and a lack of access to potable water, where Mpe labelled those who started the protests as “thugs and criminals”.
One resident called Mpe a “stupid leader” and said the residents are suffering because of a lack of service delivery and he criticised Mpe for letting people suffer because they do not have access to water.
Residents of Polokwane are threatening to shut down the Limpopo capital. They are angry over high municipal bills and lack of access to potable water. But, Mayor John Mpe says the protests are being organised by members of the construction mafia. #eNCA #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/xnp8yviKRd
— eNCA (@eNCA) October 3, 2024
According to The Citizen, Mpe has accused his detractors of trying to oust him from the African National Congress (ANC) through the party’s step-aside rule. This comes after Mpe was alleged to have involvement in the wounding of a nine-year-old girl during a scuffle involving ANC and EFF members.
At the time, the ANC in Limpopo branded the incident a premeditated move by the EFF, aimed at disrupting the ANC’s election campaign.
Some people went on social media, claiming the scuffle was sponsored by some ANC political groups, indirectly pointing fingers at Mpe and his regional leaders.
Mpe said he was not deterred by the allegations and was worried about the effect the allegations may have on his career.
“Those spreading these unfounded, rented and far-fetched allegations against me are those harbouring malicious intentions to tarnish my political image and my persona as mayor,” he said.
Mpe also faced charges of a sexual harassment case from a close relative of his, who said Mpe grabbed her hand and told her to sleep with him while she was watching a PSL game in October 2022. The case was withdrawn due to a lack of evidence.
“My message to my enemies is that they are barking up the wrong tree,” Mpe said.
ANC Peter Mokaba regional spokesperson Adolf Rapetsoa said they were aware of a well-orchestrated move to oust Mpe.
“This is cheap politicking by our comrades, en route to the elective conference,” he said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@PolokwaneMuni
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
