Africa-Press – South-Africa. The ANC in the Eastern Cape accused the police of ignoring reports of threats to the life of the mayor of Port St Johns, whose house was torched in an arson attack.
The mayor, Nomvuzo Mlombile-Cingo, told News24 that the fire, which gutted her home on Tuesday night, happened after a disgruntled group ordered her to overlook shortlisted candidates for vacant senior management positions in the municipality.
She was warned to consider local candidates or step down.
She and her family were not at home at the time of the fire.
The council is in the process of filling positions for municipal manager, engineering manager and cooperative services manager.
Mlombile-Cingo said she and two other councillors had received death threats prior to her home being engulfed in flames.
The provincial secretary of the Eastern Cape ANC, Lulama Ngcukayithobi, said the party was disappointed by what ensued, considering the police were “notified a long time ago”.
“We have been observing developments in Port St Johns with keen interest. What is happening is thuggery and not accepted in any democratic state.”
Mlombile-Cingo said she was traumatised.
“I have lost track of everything because I am busy dealing with this disturbing incident,” she told News24 on Thursday while giving her statement at the police station.
She declined to answer detailed questions, saying it could jeopardise the ongoing investigation.
According to Mlombile-Cingo:
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli denied the police had knowledge of threats made against the mayor and two councillors.
“We have since increased police visibility in the area, and Public Order Policing members are currently deployed to monitor the situation,” said Nkohli.
A case of malicious damage to property was opened following the fire.
“We would like to advise people who are receiving threats to immediately report such to the police,” he added.
Port St Johns, situated on the east coast, is one of the poorest towns in South Africa, despite being a popular tourist destination.
Pheello Oliphant, the spokesperson for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams, said the mayor had informed Williams about the demand made by a group – called “The Forum” – and their demand for the municipality not to proceed with appointments if the candidates did not come from Port St Johns.
Oliphant said the group demanded that supply chain management must appoint local service providers, to the total disregard of supply chain regulations.
Williams said no amount of anger justified the torching of Mlombile-Cingo’s house.
Williams said:
Williams said he was planning to visit the area next week to engage with all the stakeholders, to try and find an amicable solution to the problems.
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