The demolition of shacks at Harry Gwala Park (Area C) Matatiele by the Matatiele Local Municipality has left residents fuming asking why municipality would find it so important to demolish when there are many pressing service delivery issues that the same municipality does not attend to. “We are struggling for water here, our roads are bed and sometimes we don’t have electricity. Worse we were not even aware of this action,’’ said Siphelo Ndzeku. Another resident blamed the Matatiele Local Municipality for not fulfilling the promises. “The municipality promised to fix the RDP houses from old area c long time ago till now nothing has happened. If the municipality has kept its promise no one was going to erect a shack here. They don’t care for us, we don’t have water now it’s a third day but no actions have been taken. Our kids are old enough we cant share bedrooms with them anymore, that is why some of us decide to build shacks, Says Nolusapho Mgijima. Another resident Niza Mzwakali, who is working as a motor mechanic was called from work and found his shack demolished. “I don’t know where I am sleeping tonight,” he said. The Informer counted about seven shacks that were demolished where some were used as bedroom for the kids and some were used as chicken coop. It is reported that ward 20 Cllr Thembeka Dyantyi intervened and the demolition was stopped. “I stopped the sheriff from destroying the shacks. The building material that has been confiscated by the Sherriff will be returned back to their owners. We will now go back to the municipality and handle this matter,” concluded Dyantyi while addressing the residents after her intervention. Municipal spokesperson could not be found to respond to the issue.
