Durban - Protests rocked Glebelands hostel near Umlazi on Thursday as residents took to the streets to protest against their councillor.
They blockaded roads in the hostel complex and outside ANC councillor Robert Mzobe’s offices, where they met a municipal official and appealed for Mzobe’s removal.
Residents claimed Mzobe did not consult them on developments in the area and was a dictator.
A resident, who identified herself as Sinenhlanhla, said the councillor “divides the community”. She said he had failed to show respect for the community.
She said the protest started on Wednesday night and intensified early on Thursday.
“He took RDP houses and gave them to people that are not from the area,” said Sinenhlanhla.
An unofficial community spokesman, Themba Pina, said Mzobe had refused to help certain residents as he had personal vendettas against them.
He said the councillor had declined to issue residents with proof of address letters, saying they were not paying rent.
Residents on Thursday met Bheki Mngwene, of the mayor’s office, and he said their concerns would be discussed with the relevant stakeholders.
Mngwene said the councillor was elected by the community and if it was unhappy with him it should take it up with his party, not the council.
He said the protesters had no permit to protest.
Mzobe denied all the claims made against him and said he he had brought programmes to the community as requested.
Daily News