Walmer: mayor to talk

03 July 2012

NELSON Mandela Bay mayor Zanoxolo Wayile is expected to address Walmer township residents at 10am today after spending several hours yesterday locked in a meeting with community members.

For a second time in as many months, residents blockaded streets with burning tyres and rubble yesterday – leading to the arrest of eight people for public violence – as residents waited for a report back from the municipality.

Last month’s chaotic housing delivery protest lasted two days. The municipality promised then it would come back to the community with a report back on how they were addressing the issues in the first week of this month.

The meeting between the metro officials and community leaders was held at the Port Elizabeth City Hall and lasted for about seven hours.

Community leader Mbulelo Tulumani would not divulge what the meeting had agreed on, only saying: "The public will be addressed [today].”

Wayile’s spokesman, Luncedo Njezula, said: "The format of the programme was that we would hold a report back session with the community leaders first, before addressing the broader community.”

The rapid response team of senior municipal managers, including Andile Mfunda (infrastructure and engineering portfolio head) and Fikile Desi (human settlements portfolio head), was formed last month to look at the Walmer issue and other service delivery hotspots.

Walmer ward councillor Nomajama Benya could not be reached for comment.

Police spokesman Captain Stanley Jonas said the eight people arrested would appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court today.

Reader's Comments

Report Abuse Author: AY Date: 03 July 2012 19:31

unfortunately more then 50 shops were looted in walmer area in last 24 hours, which owned by Somali business man and no body is talking about it, and south Africa media does not want talk all these refugee harassment which is doing by local black people who used to these xenophobic attacks every year, can we say the media and the government of south Africa doesn't care Somali refugees, if the answer is no, why they are hiding this xenophobic attacks? or the Somali refugees doesn't have rights in this African nation.

Media Center

PROTEST ARREST: Police detain a Walmer township protester yesterday. Picture: EUGENE COETZEE

View MoreTop Stories: News

SA at labour unrest cross-roads: Gordhan 11 rhino poached in KZN in past 20 days Charges withdrawn in Bredasdorp murder rape case Chrome mine guards fire rubber bullets at strikers No bidders at Winnie auction Teachers: fury over unspent R533m Bay leaders on the carpet over 'anarchy' Varsities to march against violence Bhisho underspending triples Angry scenes in three Bay protests

News Categories

News Sport LifeStyle Letters World

Comment on this article via Facebook

The Herald Port Elizabeth - Inspired by Times Media Group

The Herald Port Elizabeth Digital Media & Marketing Association

Website development and design by Online Innovations