African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala says the party is investigating allegations that local business forums have been demanding money from companies to stay open, especially during the recent looting and violence.
Zikalala was addressing party supporters at the eThekwini region’s Siyanqoba rally at the King Zwelithini Stadium in KwaMashu.
#sabcnews #sabckzn King Zwelithini stadium painted with ANC colours. pic.twitter.com/DtgAQeNN2K
— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) October 28, 2021
During July’s looting and unrest, there were allegations that some local business forums in Umlazi and KwaMashu demanded money from local businesses before they were allowed to resume operations. Zikalala has condemned such actions.
“The issue of business forums that embrace illegal operations or activities will be dealt with. There is a unit that is dedicated to deal with those business forums. We are not going to leave that issue, we cannot allow South Africa to become a banana Republic where people will do as they wish, disrupt businesses extort money, therefore, we will be firm on that following each and every case and we have ensured that all of those cases are recorded and followed accordingly.”
South Africans go to the polls for local government elections on Monday.
Voting stations open at 7am and close at 9pm.
Councillors will be held accountable
ANC NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma assured party supporters that the ANC will hold their incoming councillors accountable.
“But of course the ANC will hold its councillors accountable, the councillors in their caucus, they must make sure that they attend and uphold the decisions that they should take and if they do not do that, the ANC must then keep them accountable as it has done in the past. We are also empathising on the participation of communities because the council can’t work properly in a community if the community is aloof.”
One hundred and eleven wards are up for grabs in the eThekwini Municipality. The ANC has urged eligible voters to get to the polls early on November 1st.
Over 1.9 million people are registered to vote in eThekwini.
Ramaphosa campaigns in Tembisa
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa took the party’s campaign trail to Ekurhuleni, focusing on the women’s vote.
Ramaphosa says South Africans must ensure that decent work becomes a reality for domestic workers. He was addressing the domestic workers’ event as part of the ANC election campaign in Tembisa East of Johannesburg earlier this morning.
The event was also attended by Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi.
Ramaphosa said government will not rest until working and living conditions are improved.
Ramaphosa addresses the issue of domestic workers:
