Cradock unrest continuous

Update

CRADOCK NEWS - The unrest in Cradock won't stop unless service levels improve and the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality's top brass held accountable.

This was the message from fed-up local community members yesterday morning, Wednesday 27 January, when they again blocked all access roads to the town with huge rocks in protest against bad service delivery, alleged fraud at the municipality and tenders that are awarded to out-of-towners.

Residents demand that tenders be awarded to local businesses to boost the many floundering small and medium businesses and the local economy in general.

Following yesterday's protest the Cradock police opened a case of public violence, but no-one was arrested. Police spokesperson Captain Namhla Mdleleni advised motorists to exercise caution in the area. The roads were cleared before noon. At the time of going to press no more information was available.

During last week's protest some residents were arrested, but released the following day. Residents want answers regarding the ongoing Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Hawks) investigation into alleged tender fraud to the value of R26-million rand at the municipality.

Comment from Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase is being awaited. Cradock resident Chalaine Fleurs says when the routes leading to Queenstown and Port Elizabeth are blocked this causes severe traffic congestion in the Cradock CBD as well as on the route through Mortimer to Cradock, the only alternative route.

The road to Port Elizabeth outside Cradock. Photo: Supplied

"The people marched and protested out of frustration because of the inadequacy of the municipal management. Residents have been waiting since last year for a report from the Hawks about missing municipal funds.

"All financial statements were confiscated for investigation but no reply is forthcoming. The provincial government should step in to attend to the poor service delivery," says Fleurs.

Inxuba Yethemba councillor, Rika Featherstonehaugh of the DA, says interdicts were obtained against some of the rioters last year. "The municipality laid charges against four protesters following the latest riots." DA Member of the Provincial Legislature, Retief Odendaal has written to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Xolile Nqatha asking them to step in.

Graaff-Reinet Advertiser contacted Kuhle September, communications officer of the Inxuba Yethema Municipality, for comment, but he failed to respond.

Protesters again blocked the roads in and out of Cradock on Wednesday morning, 27 January. Tarkastad Road outside Cradock.