MEC heckled and insulted by protesters

Protesters in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape, disrupted businesses on Friday morning as they continued their calls for municipal manager Khathutshelo Mulaudzi to step down. The Ngcobo Yethu Civic Organisation has been marching through the town since Tuesday, alleging poor service delivery under Mulaudzi's leadership. Taxi operators joined the demonstration, demanding that Intercape buses stop picking up long-distance passengers in Ngcobo.

A barricade was set up on the R61 road connecting Ngcobo with Mthatha and Komani. Ngcobo Yethu chairperson Gcobani Nkwele claimed Mulaudzi had tried to dismiss seven traffic officers for raising legitimate concerns, but the Supreme Court of Appeal rejected his appeal. Two years ago, Mulaudzi allegedly brought in Limpopo contractors to build municipal offices, which remain unfinished.

The civic organization handed Mayor Siyabulela Zangqa a memorandum outlining their demands and directed it to Eastern Cape COGTA MEC Zolile Williams. Despite Williams's attempts to address the issues, she was insulted and prevented from speaking outside the local municipality's offices. Premier Oscar Mabuyane directed Williams to investigate Mulaudzi's alleged wrongdoing and engage with affected workers to resolve the issues through proper governance and labor processes.

Mabuyane emphasized that consequences for wrongdoing are non-negotiable. A municipal spokesperson said Mulaudzi would not be responding to the allegations.