http://www.theherald.co.za/article.aspx?id=463578

Addo office set alight in protest

2009/08/27
Mthetho Ndoni HERALD REPORTER ndonim@avusa.co.za

A HOUSING protest in Addo turned violent yesterday when about 500 disgruntled residents barricaded roads with burning tyres and set alight a councillor’s office.

The protests follow several months of tension in the Sundays River Valley municipal area, which surfaced with the axing of controversial municipal manager Siphiwo Sohena.

A large number of armed police were deployed to the area and 23 people arrested.

Eastern Cape Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Sicelo Gqobana had to be called from Bhisho to address residents demanding his presence.

Later tensions reached boiling point at the municipal offices in Kirkwood.

There was an exchange of words between ANC Addo councillor Anthony Dancey and Mayor Siphokazi Matinise at a closed meeting in the presence of Gqobana.

Dancey stormed out of the meeting but Gqobana later asked him to come back. He said the community had decided to protest because they were tired of being told lies over and over by Bhisho and municipal officials.

He said locals were demanding houses. He also believed that Gqobana should listen to their grievances because “the mayor was not willing to face angry residents”.

Matinise said residents in Addo’s Valentia area had a reason to protest because they had been on the housing waiting list for years. “We understand their frustration, but the blame should be put on the Housing Department in Bisho.

“We’ve submitted their housing application to the department but we are waiting for an approval.

When this happened, the municipality would start the house building programme, she said.

The municipality was opposed to the actions of Nomathamsanqa residents because housing delivery was in progress in that area, she said.

Gqobana acknowledged the housing and corruption problem faced by the Sundays River municipality. Addressing the angry crowd in Addo, he said he would ask the municipality about the delays.

“There is still an investigation into the municipality’s finances. Therefore we are having a special council meeting to address issues around delivery.”

Gqobana told the residents to remain calm and that he would return with a detailed report from the council meeting. He said he would meet the residents along with provincial Housing MEC Nombulelo Mabandla tomorrow.