Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Herman Mashaba hits back after botched attempt to address Alex

16/04/2019

On Monday, City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba, finally faced the disgruntled Alexandra township after ignoring the community's calls to meet for close to a week. It turned out to be a tense engagement that did not last very long.

As reported by Times Live, the mayor's visit came after the dust had settled behind President Cyril Ramaphosa's parade on Thursday, where his authority in the province was questioned by the president.

Herman Mashaba heckled at Alex community meeting Ramaphosa had pleaded with the Alex community, to allow Mashaba, who at the time, had not shown up in seven days since the protests broke out, a chance to perform his duties.

Read DA's Alan Winde wants ANC removed from elections over Alex, N2 protests

The community had vowed to maintain order and allow Mashaba time but the results of Monday's engagement was nothing close to convivial.

Gathered at the Marlboro Community Centre in Alex, the mayor's attempts to engage with the community leadership, as part of the Integrated Development Plan, were trampled on by factions in the crowd who did not want to hear him speak.

This was also going to be Mashaba's platform to expose the names of the ANC officials he has accused of illegally benefitting from the R1-billion that was earmarked for the Alex Renewal Project.

This project was targeted at addressing most of the social issues that the township currently faces.

In 2001, several non-profit organisations collaborated with key figures in the private sector, as well as the government, to launch the project with the vision of changing the social and economical infrastructure of the township.

However, 18 years later, and the community is still up in arms about the lack of service delivery, appropriate housing and the huge influx of illegal informal housing structures.

ANC using poor people Mashaba After Monday's engagements fell through, the mayor accused the disruptors of being ANC cadres on a political agenda.

The ANC is using poor and vulnerable people, taking advantage of their plight, to protect the exposure of the Alexandra Renewal Project and the disappearance of the funds meant for the development of Alexandra, he wrote in a tweet.

Read Alexandra protests: ANC accused of using Bell Pottinger bots to stir up trouble

Since Monday's events, the mayor has been dealing with a lot of backlash from people who think that he had left the visit to the township too late.

But why, why now, leadership must learn to take community matters very serious. @HermanMashaba chose to walk his dog because it was a routine not to be missed, and the community meeting was long scheduled after dog walk. He must walk his dog in Alex, unless the dog likes Sandton

- Derick Thikithana (@derickshangwi) April 16, 2019 U failed dismally Mayor

1. U failed to attend community when they called u first time

2. Instead of going to Alex to adress community u go to Marlboro

U missed all opportunities u didn't act like a mayor FACT

- Willy Ledwaba (@FreeLefase) April 16, 2019 Tags: Democratic Alliance (DA)Herman MashabaJohannesburgprotestsSouth Africa
LINK: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/herman-mashaba-hits-back-botched-attem...
See more stories from thesouthafrican

More from The South African

10/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 9 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 9 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soap...

10/05/2024

Prison Journalism: You think the streets are crazy?

Prison Journalism: You think the streets are crazy?Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore&#...

10/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Fanyana finally gives in to Lilly's advances

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Fanyana finally gives in to Lilly's advancesDon't miss Friday, 10 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke...

09/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac is happily surprised when the taxi drivers and their families turn up in large numbers

Tonight on House of Zwide: The first day of the Shisanyama opening proves disapp...

09/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Toby and Ntswaki have their first date

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Toby and Ntswaki have their first dateDon't miss Thursday, 9 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SABC 1 ...

09/05/2024

Prison Journalism: Challenges of foreign citizens' imprisonment in South Africa

Prison Journalism: Challenges of foreign citizens' imprisonment in South Afr...

09/05/2024

Prison Journalism: Pray for liberation and healing

Prison Journalism: Pray for liberation and healingThabo Mthembu was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2014 to 2019. Read Thabo's story by Thabo Mthemb...

09/05/2024

Taylor Swift's European Eras tour kicks off in Paris TONIGHT

Taylor Swift's European Eras tour kicks off in Paris TONIGHTThe highest-grossing tour in history has finally arrived in Europe as Taylor Swift kicks off her...

09/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: MaHilda and Phakamile are forced into navigating a tense truce

Tonight on Scandal: MaHilda and Phakamile are forced into navigating a tense tru...

08/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: The first day of the Shisanyama opening proves disappointing for Isaac

Tonight on House of Zwide: The first day of the Shisanyama opening proves disapp...

08/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Vuvu discovers simmering pots of pleasure and deceit

Tonight on Scandal: Vuvu discovers simmering pots of pleasure and deceitDon't miss Wednesday, 8 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! ...

08/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 8 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 8 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...

08/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: The walls are slowly closing in on Lehasa, thanks to Kgosi

Tonight on Skeem Saam: The walls are slowly closing in on Lehasa, thanks to Kgos...

08/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 7 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 7 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapi...

08/05/2024

Taylor Swift: Europe's Swifties' await pop icon with open arms

Taylor Swift: Europe's Swifties' await pop icon with open armsAmerican pop icon Taylor Swift is about to embark on the European leg of her Eras tour ...

08/05/2024

The Lion King' continues: See the first trailer for Mufasa'

The Lion King' continues: See the first trailer for Mufasa' The Lion King' is one of the most popular Disney films ever. They've just released ...

08/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Jaxon panics about Phakathi being in town

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Fanyana books a room when his online date finally respondsDon't miss Tuesday, 7 May's riveting episode of South African so...

07/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Mampho cautions Maria against making a move on Isaac

Tonight on House of Zwide: Mampho cautions Maria against making a move on IsaacDon't miss Tuesday, 7 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Hous...

07/05/2024

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour arrives to shake up Europe

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour arrives to shake up EuropeHaving shaken four continents, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour finally brings the biggest pop culture icon o...

07/05/2024

Isiphetho: Destiny' beats Scandal!'

Isiphetho: Destiny' beats Scandal!'E.tv's latest telenovela Isiphetho: Destiny' beat the channel's longest running soapie, Scandal!' ...

07/05/2024

Now there's HELP for ex-prisoners to find work in South Africa

Now there's HELP for ex-prisoners to find work in South AfricaNew initiative for ex-prisoners to find work in South Africa proves it's never too late fo...

07/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Cohen is pulled into keeping a secret

Tonight on Scandal: Cohen is pulled into keeping a secretDon't miss Tuesday, 7 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DStv c...

07/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 6 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Monday's episode, 6 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapie...

06/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Deception is rife as a man places his trust in the unfaithful

Tonight on Scandal: Deception is rife as a man places his trust in the unfaithfu...

06/05/2024

Rap beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar turns NASTY

Rap beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar turns NASTYA long-simmering feud between rap titans Drake and Kendrick Lamar has exploded into allegations of pedophil...

06/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kobus busts Pretty in a compromising position

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Kobus busts Pretty in a compromising positionDon't miss Monday, 6 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem Saam on SA...

06/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Bra Zakes and Sphamandla agree to leave Tembisa and never come back

Tonight on House of Zwide: Bra Zakes and Sphamandla agree to leave Tembisa and n...

06/05/2024

Actress Matseliso Mohale has joined Muvhango'

Actress Matseliso Mohale has joined Muvhango'Talented actress Matseliso Mohale has joined SABC2's soapie Muvhango' as Vhangani's lover and a c...

06/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Leroy refuses to give up fighting to bury Mthetho

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Leroy refuses to give up fighting to bury MthethoDon't miss Monday, 6 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke...

04/05/2024

New faces and new storylines': What to expect on Izingane ZeS'thembu' S2

New faces and new storylines': What to expect on Izingane ZeS'thembu...

03/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 3 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Friday's episode, 3 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soapie...

03/05/2024

This type of story has never been told in Afrikaans': Koek' director

This type of story has never been told in Afrikaans': Koek' directorJohannes Pieter Nel, the director of Showmax's crime comedy series Koek' o...

03/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Mbuso finds that honesty isn't always the best policy

Tonight on Scandal: Mbuso finds that honesty isn't always the best policyDon't miss Friday, 3 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal...

03/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar tries to persuade Siphokazi about her marriage

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Caesar tries to persuade Siphokazi about her marri...

03/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Toby has an encounter with Charles and it's unpleasant

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Toby has an encounter with Charles and it's unpleasan...

03/05/2024

Prison Journalism: A glimpse into South African prisons

Prison Journalism: A glimpse into South African prisonsDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorati...

03/05/2024

Prison Journalism: When your time in prison gets hard

Prison Journalism: When your time in prison gets hardFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in a Restorative Justic...

03/05/2024

Baby Reindeer: What's all the fuss about Netflix's hit series?

Baby Reindeer: What's all the fuss about Netflix's hit series?Netflix's new miniseries Baby Reindeer is trending on Netflix and it's the kind ...

03/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Makho, the hitman, turns out to be an old friend of Isaac's

Tonight on House of Zwide: Makho, the hitman, turns out to be an old friend of I...

03/05/2024

Tshepo Matlala discusses his class clown role in Youngins'

Tshepo Matlala discusses his class clown role in Youngins'Breakout star Tshepo Matlala portrays fan-favourite character Tshepo Masemola, who is the class c...

02/05/2024

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani his beef with Bra Zakes is now personal

Tonight on House of Zwide: Isaac tells Funani his beef with Bra Zakes is now per...

02/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 2 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 2 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soap...

02/05/2024

YouTube: Is Premium worth paying for?

YouTube: Is Premium worth paying for?YouTube is a popular free streaming service, but you can also pay for Premium. How does Premium compare, and what do you ge...

02/05/2024

Tonight on Scandal: Mdala is guilt-tripped into making it right with a woman

Tonight on Scandal: Mdala is guilt-tripped into making it right with a womanDon't miss Thursday, 2 May's riveting episode of South African soapie Scanda...

02/05/2024

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa uncovers Pretty's lie and connection to his enemy

Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa uncovers Pretty's lie and connection to his en...

02/05/2024

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 1 May 2024 [video]

Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 1 May 2024 [video]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African soa...

02/05/2024

Prison Journalism: It's alright not to have

Prison Journalism: It's alright not to haveWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore's...

02/05/2024

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Thandiswa's quest to reclaim Caesar's house intensifies

Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Lulu navigates the complexities of her relationshi...

02/05/2024

The Women': Author shines light on forgotten women in war

The Women': Author shines light on forgotten women in warThe bestselling author of The Nightingale', Kristin Hannah, has outdone herself with her new h...

01/05/2024

Die Antwoord: Six best remixes from YouTube

Die Antwoord: Six best remixes from YouTubeDie Antwoord have released Reanimated along with their tour, but what about remixes of their songs? Here are six Antw...