By: Zethu Gweva
Bhisho residents embarked on a shutdown saying they are tired of the governments empty promises on services delivery.
These residents barricaded all exits and entrances going and coming out of Bhisho area with burning tyres and other objects this morning.
According to the Member of the Bhisho Ratepayers Association Onela Mangxola they are being overcharged on rates, they don’t have a library, shopping centres and recreational centre. He added that these are issues which have not been attended to for years.
“We have shutdown the town due to the governments empty promises. There is refuse that has not been collected for months in other areas, continuous increment of tariffs. The other question is what is the purpose of the IDP if nothing is delivered to Bhisho all these years. We want development around Bhisho to prove that it is indeed the capital city of the Eastern Cape,” said Mangxola.
Speaking to BCM News the spokesperson for the Office of the Premier Sonwabo Mbanaga said the government takes the issues raised by residents seriously. He added that a task team has been put in place to tackle the grievances of the Bhisho residents.
“A task team comprising of provincial government led by OTP, COGTA , Buffalo City Metro Municipality and Bhisho Ratepayers Association have met to try and resolve the matters raised which include service delivery,” said Mbanaga.
Buffalo City Metro Municipality Spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said they are shocked about the shutdown as they had a meeting to discuss these matters and came to a consensus that resolutions from the meeting will be announced on the sixth of May.
The Bhisho shutdown resulted in seven people being arrested and 10 others injured.