KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN 2018 – LATEST UPDATES

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 03/09/2018 18:25

If is official, Executive Mayor, Mangaliso Matika, resigned.

ANC STATEMENT ON THE SOL-PLAATJE SUB-REGION

The African National Congress in the Northern Cape has since the last media briefing, been in engagements with the NEC convenor to the Province, Comrade Colleen Maine as well as the REC officials of the Frances Baard Region. We have deliberated on a number of issues as it relates to the concerns raised by the community.
We have at all times, since the beginning of the protests in our community, initiated meetings with the representatives of the community, we have by all means possible met all the demands that were brought to us by the community. We have never opted to take the route of antagonising our communities, and that we have no intention of doing.

On Saturday, the ANC convened a special Provincial Executive Committee meeting, where the Sol-Plaatje Municipality matter was discussed at length this including the judgement in the case against the Democratic Alliance vs Mangaliso Matika passed by Judge President Pule Tlaletsi. The PEC is of the view that the Judgement made in the Northern Cape High Court affirms what we have always maintained as the ANC, that the meeting held on the 05 July 2018 at the Sol-Plaatjie Municipality Chambers was illegal and of no legal standing. We are pleased that the court was able to demonstrate that the Democratic Alliance was once again opportunistic in their attempt to remove an ANC Mayor through the use of illegal means and play petty politics with the genuine issues that have been raised by the community. The court has helped to establish the principle that we wanted affirmed legally.

ON THE 106 INVESTIGATION

The PEC has also noted that the MEC of COGHSTA has given the team dealing with the 106 investigation an extension until the end of September 2018. We respect the decision made by the MEC and call on the team dealing with the report to ensure that they leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those who have done wrong at the municipality are brought to book. As the ANC we have full confidence in the team and are confident that they will be able to execute the task at hand. We are committed to the fight against corruption and will ensure that anyone, irrespective of the position they hold, if found guilty should suffer the full might of the law. We further call on all those that have made allegations to approach the team and submit the requisite evidence instead of engaging with these matters through unsubstantiated allegations and innuendo.

ON THE RESIGNATION OF COMRADE MANGALISO MATIKA AS THE MAYOR OF SOL-PLAATJE

We have been in constant engagement with Comrade Matika, leadership of the REC, branches of the ANC. After much deliberations and considerations, the PEC welcomes the resignation of Comrade Matika as the Mayor of the Sol-Plaatje Municipality in the interest of the community that we serve and in order to ensure that his name is not used in the looting, burning, inconvenience caused to our community, learners in particularly the people of Galeshewe. We respect him for taking the decision that he has taken and know that he will continue to lead the ANC in the Region as the Chairperson. We would like to thank him for the service and commitment to the people of Sol-Plaatje. There has been some good work done by Comrade Matika, the Household Lights in Ivory Park and Diamant Park, Opening of an Internet Café and Youth Centre in Ritchie, Traffic Lights around Galeshewe he has been in consistent contact with communities. We truly appreciate the work done by Comrade Matika and wish him well in his future endeavours.

The ANC will commence with its internal process to ensure that we get a suitable comrade to replace Comrade Matika. We will follow all processes as per the constitution of the ANC. The ANC Regional Executive Committee will provide the Provincial Executive Committee with three names in order of priority and the names will be processed. Thereafter we will announce the name of the ANC comrade who will be the Mayor of the Sol-Plaatje Municipality. We would like to appeal to all ANC branches and the community to afford the ANC space for the processes to unfold ensuring that we have a capable Mayor.

ON THE PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE

There was a resolution that was taken at the 8th Provincial Conference of the ANC, there has been the first round of engagements with the National officials and the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC will be going back to the officials.

Issued by the African National Congress- Northern Cape
Deshi Ngxanga
Provincial Secretary
Media Enquiries
Naledi Gaosekwe
Media Liaison Coordinator

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 03/09/2018 09:10

Barbed wire and police presence around the Provincial ANC offices following threats by residents to march there as part of #KimberleyShutDown to put pressure on the party to recall Mayor Mangaliso Matika #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/BLMipkg1J5

— Nkgono Neria (@neriahlakotsa) September 3, 2018

UPDATE: MUNICIPAL SERVICES
MONDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2018
TIME: 09:00 AM.

Most roads are open this morning with barricades only limited to Galeshewe circle area which has prevented businesses at Galeshewe Shopping Complex from currently operating. All our Municipal Services are operational as normal.There is threats to refuse removal services in some areas which maybe interrupted. Roads around Du Toitspan and Phakamile Mabija are closed off due to a possible march. This inconvenience is highly regrettable. Will provide later updates

VIA Sello Matsie

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 03/09/2018 07:20

ANC Media Briefing
The African National Congress in the Northern Cape will convene a Media briefing as follows:

Date: Today, 03 September 2018
Time: 09h00
Venue: Amaqhawe Building, ANC Provincial Office
Members of the media are invited to attend the media briefing.
Issued by the African National Congress-Northern Cape
Deshi Ngxanga
Provincial Secretary
Media Enquiries Naledi Gaosekwe 

The Shutdown Community Leaders also stated that a statement will be issued shortly.

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 03/09/2018 06:30

The latest reports from the ground indicate that all seem to be normal with Taxis spotted picking up and dropping of passengers.  All roads are currently reported as open.

 

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 02/09/2018 20:20

According community leader, Tumelo Mosikare, the Kimberley Shutdown will be continued as of 22:00 tonight when all taxis will stop operating.  The Kimberley Shutdown will continue until Sol Plaatje Executive Mayor, Mangaliso Matika,  steps down.

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS STATEMENT ON SOL-PLAATJE MUNICIPALITY

The African National Congress in the Northern Cape held a special Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting, yesterday, Saturday 01 September 2018. The Special PEC meeting came after the judgement in the case against the Democratic Alliance vs Mangaliso Matika as well as the recent developments in the Sol-Plaatje Sub-region. The PEC deliberated at length on the Judgement passed by Judge Tlaletsi.

As the PEC we saw it fit that we should at all times take along branches of the ANC in all decisions that we take, branches who are the basic unit of the ANC. Today, Sunday, 02 September 2018, the ANC regional executive committee as well as the PEC deployees to the region convened an urgent interbranch meeting, where as the PEC we took the branches through the court judgement and its implications. A number of issues were raised by the branches which the REC together with the PEC will need to look in to. The meeting further agreed that structures of the ANC will need to go back to our communities. We would like to reiterate as the ANC that we will never be indifferent to the issues raised by our communities

We therefore appeal to members of the community to allow the ANC space and time to deal with this process. We appeal to our communities to desist from any violent activities and to allow our children who are writing tests and importantly matriculants who are writing their preliminary examinations. We would once more like to apologise to the community of Kimberley for the inconvenience.

Issued by the African National Congress- Northern Cape
Deshi Ngxanga
Provincial Secretary
Media Enquiries
Naledi Gaosekwe
Media Liaison Coordinator
0736179671

Statement by The Northern Cape Department of Education

Kimberley schools will remain open amidst claims of possible community protest

The Northern Cape Department of Education is aware of the possible community protests in Kimberley area.

While the protest has nothing to do with education sector, we would like to inform parents, teachers, learners and members of the public that all schools will remain open and that teaching and learning will continue as normal.

We appeal to the general public to allow our institutions of learning to continue undisturbed as learners are busy with tests and preliminary examinations.

The final countdown towards the National Senior Certificate examination has began. Our Grade 12 learners are preparing for this all important examination and each schooling day counts. Let us allow our children their right to education.

End.

Lehuma Ntuane
Head of Communications
Department of Education
053 839 6778
071 741 5573

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 02/09/2018 17:00

Initial reports from this afternoon’s community meeting indicate that a further Kimberley Shutdown is possible.

No official information on the date of a possible shutdown has been released by the community leaders at this time (17:00 02/29/2018)

Details will be posted when available.

[WATCH] Community Leader Tumelo Mosikare confirms #KimberleyShutDown again because “The ANC is not listening to the voters” #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/6sFrqRt4b2

— Nkgono Neria (@neriahlakotsa) September 2, 2018

[WATCH] Kimberley Taxi boss tells residents “Whether Matika steps down or not, do not close the roads” Crowds disagrees #KimberleyShutDown #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/VbGOKVKZHm

— Nkgono Neria (@neriahlakotsa) September 2, 2018

Tyres already burning in Kimberley however some residents have agreed to only embark on the #KimberleyShutDown from tomorrow(Monday). The current agreement is to close National roads. (N8 and N12) #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/PMo47DvamW

— Nkgono Neria (@neriahlakotsa) September 2, 2018

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 29/08/2018

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 19/08/2018

FROM: Brija Peters

Feedback from Today’s Community Meeting (19/08/18)

Meeting started at 3:30, Membership registration forms valid for today only (for security/fraud prevention purposes) were distributed no forms should be accepted until Wednesday, any forms received before then are fake

1. Feedback on the registration of the NPO was given, the interim executive was announced, and an explanation of the process that will unfold to have all Communities registered, which will culminate later with an AGM.

2. Since the NPO Bank Account has not been registered yet (due to time constraints work and other obligations), the given forms were taken back without a registration fee of R10, a suggestion was made to have membership registration as free and that those who wish to donate to the NPO do so as and when they can. (no monthly fee)

3. Membership will be open to all residents, the approved constitution will be made available to all via this platform, facebook and printouts which will be circulated on Wednesday for input into the Constitution… closing date for inputs will be 27 August 2018.
3.1 Online registration is being developed

4. Those with resources to print the membership forms and constitutions for distribution should please avail themselves

5. The debt owed to the Lawyers, the payment for Monwabisi’s burnt bakkie, we need to raise these funds urgently.

6. 22nd August 2018, Community is requested to attend the Court Hearing at the High Court, at 9:00 am.
At 5:00pm we will meet at the Circle to discuss outcome and way forward.

7. On Local Economy, we should buy locally produced products (for example bread) and services (eg. book keepers) so as to increase job creation, those with access to learnerships, and jobs (directors and managers), should ensure that money is not returned to National treasury due to there not being people recruited for these. They too should assist in creating and availing local jobs. Businesses should consider looking for employees locally first.

8. Other platforms such as the local radios, news papers, websites should be approached to ensure all communication by the NPO reaches more people and with the transparency (all income and expenditure, projects and report backs are availed to all on a monthly basis).

9. We would begin in the coming week to look at ways to make our areas cleaner, including cleaning our yards and streets.

10. Those who can assist (volunteer) on the team should avail themselves, the more people we have the quicker we will be able to attend to the outstanding tasks.

11. Those who are to appear in court (out on bail), should make sure they do, as not doing so will result in a warrant of arrest being issued against them (people were asked to stay behind).. because of the outstanding debt with the lawyers, those going to court in the coming weeks are requested to ask for legal aid, or appoint a lawyer where possible.

12. Those who have opened cases against the Police, were also asked to stay behind, similarly there are no funds available to assist with legal fees in this regard.

13. Ward Councillors should follow the mandate and will of the Community they lead.

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 19/08/2018

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 18/08/2018

FROM TUMELO MOSIKARE:

Thank you to all who listened in yesterday.. who gave input and those who came to the social center as well.. Motsweding is a Setswana Radio Station and as such the interview was in Setswana.
Many points were clarified and in colcusion an annoucement of Sunday(19 August 2018) meeting was made…

at the meeting more details will be given and registration forms will be distributed for formal registration of membership in Sol Plaajie Community Forum.

More info will follow later

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 16/08/2018

FROM TUMELO MOSIKARE:

As proposed by Daddy in the voiceclip yesterday in response to the message which we received from one of the Community Members which was from Councillor Tshite.. we had requested for an informal meeting to get direct details from the Acting Mayor today.
There could be a Council Meeting tomorrow where the concerns will be discussed and we will then request a formal meeting with the MMC also to bring forward formally the unmet demands.
A decision will be taken between today and Friday night wether we should call for a Community meeting this Sunday… we need to have a meeting where not just 1 item is discussed and we are able to get more done.
1. The unmet demands
2. The 106 investigation
3. Member registration of the NPO
4. The Cases
5. Fund raising
6. Cleaning and repairing our City
7. Local Economy (buy local)
8. Job Creation
9. 22nd August
10. Migration to Eskom
11. Community meetings (information sharing drive)

The road is long but we shall persist.

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 15/08/2018

FROM: Cllr BP Tshite

Thank you to all who listened in yesterday.. who gave input and those who came to the social center as well.. Motsweding is a Setswana Radio Station and as such the interview was in Setswana.
Many points were clarified and in colcusion an annoucement of Sunday(19 August 2018) meeting was made…

at the meeting more details will be given and registration forms will be distributed for formal registration of membership in Sol Plaajie Community Forum.

More info will follow later

I’m seriously worried about the sewage & water leakage. These issues are reported daily by both me & you but nothing is getting done. Now I will explain briefly the current challenges at the Municipality.

Since the Court ordered the former mayor to vacate office things haven’t changed. For one the Mayoral Committee refuses to work with the Acting Mayor, they defy his every request & are busy with their own thing. The directors are just as defiant as they duck & dive when they are called in & when they decide to show up most only have never ending stories. The idea is to sabotage the Acting Mayor so that the Community revolts against him. The powers the Court has given are limited to the extend that he is stuck with the former mayor’s team & they outright undermine him because he is not allowed to shift them.

The issues the Community have raised May not be resolved by the 22 August because we can’t even get a Council Meeting to address them. The open mines created also seem to not have a solution. Now as you know when I get stuck I always seek advice from you as the Constituency that elected me into office. The Acting Mayor is avoiding being forced into making illegal & compromising decisions. I call on you to please be patient while we try & find a solution for these growing problems.

I say we as I am directly affected by these challenges. I can guarantee that call centre does disseminate info to the relevant units to be attended to but somewhere somehow the worker don’t do what is required of them. We have for example been reporting the leakage in North Avenue for over a month yet miraculously it’s not being attended to. I can’t explain all challenges we are faced with on the group but I will arrange to have a proper platform for engagement soon.

I humble myself before you & apologize for the inconvenience caused by these childish unnecessary internal battles.

Yours in Service
Cllr BP Tshite

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 07/08/2018 20:00

FROM TUMELO MOSIKARE:

Where We Are

1. The Community NPO registration has been submitted

2. We are working on the membership registration

3. An assessment of the community facilities which were damaged during the strike needs to be done including cleaning our streets so that we start chipping in to restore our City

4. Request for use of a school has been submitted for the learner aid project (extra classes)

5. The logo for the NPO (pending, a few designs received)

…. The Demands

1. The R260 was scrapped for households(monitoring) 
The few discrepancies should be resolved at Civic and with landlord for now..

2. The price of electricity has been decreased (on average a 23.93% decrease for the first 3blocks) consensus is that this is still high given the sliding scale shifts per purchase depending on the amount. hence Eskom migration project. (Research to be concluded this week on best route to effect this including the effectiveness of a petition and timing of it)

3. Signs at Tuck Shops to not charge extra not yet put up (in the interim we as the community can have a poster printed and put up at Tuck Shops citing the law that prohibits this and that we will not pay extra)..

4. PR Company, being part of the 106 investigation by Coghsta.. awaiting outcome of investigation for further action if required to be taken

5. The MM and CFO did not resign, they were suspended and are under the 106 investigation, should be concluding on the 22+/- based on date of publication of start of investigation… Outcome should determine action to be taken.

6. Mr. Matika voted out of council (vote of no confidence) eviction interdict passed… pending case to hear legality of meeting held to vote him out. (unclear if council funds being used without council ruling to effect case against council or if Mr Matika is using his own funds).

7. Meeting to be scheduled with Council/Councillors to find out when they can take action on the outstanding demands having in mind the 106 investigation…

—

Outstanding : 
Legal fees for all public violence(not looting)

Donations towards repairing/replacing burnt bakkie that was burnt because it assisted in Community meetings.

 

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 01/08/2018 08:40

Good Morning

We have walked a long road, we have lost a great deal in time, infrastructure, and the innocence of the kids who at times went overboard and we as adults could not or did not correct their behavior as at the time unfortunately they were part of the actions.

This all could have and should have been avoided, the worst of it all was seeing someone holding in their eye back from flowing out of the socket with a sanitary pad because someone happily played with their rubber bullet gun and shot at him randomly while he was sitting on the side of the road, driving by and firing a gun directly at people as though it was a game.
This was truly unnecessary and uncalled for.

We have lost a lot and must now WORK HARD and smart to ensure we do not lose any further,  that no jobs be lost, that no business goes under. 
On this point, the only way to guarantee this would be for us to TOTALLY SUPPORT LOCAL. Anything that is trucked into Kimberley, driven by people employed outside Kimberley, if bought by us will further weaken the economy and never create the jobs we need for lives to be bettered…
Buy Locally backed bread.. the more we buy local the more people get employed to produce the local products..

The businesses as well, as competitive as business is.. the time now is to put aside differences and unite so that collectively you may grow.. outside business can come in and rake up local contracts because of lack of unity locally. We need growth, innovation and unity to better our economy..

It is all our responsibility to make this City better and it simply starts with not throwing that can of coke out the window while driving, not throwing the JC Juice plastic on the floor after finishing with it. With the culture of greeting each other and holding the door, having respect for elderly persons and Women.

We are a beautiful city which is simply bruised by time and apathy, we had delegated our powers and responsibility to someones.  I won’t pick it up. It’s not my job someone will do it. I won’t report it someone will do it or should have done it, ‘there is EPWP for that’.

We have gone through this physical revolution and must now commit collectively to the mindset revolution.  One that says we are all, each and everyone of us EPWP, we are all the Nurse at KH or Medicross or the CEO at Westend Hospital, the Guy Who sells Sphatlo at No.5, the Youth Business Chamber leaders, the business forum that fights for contracts to first be given to local businesses, the teachers, the care givers, the Councillor and the guy at the corner asking for a piece job.

We have walked the distance and should continue to do so together because as a divided city we were an abused city and as a united city we overcame the abuse to a great extent.

We must be proud of ourselves for the progress made, we should never forget the price we had to pay to get to today

And must ensure we never ever go back to that Kimberley that was a piece of coal.

We are now on the path of polishing this rough diamond which is ourselves and our city.

We Shall Shine Once Again

Well Done Kimberley 👏🏾

FORWARD WE GO ✊🏾

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 31/07/2018 20:00

Community cleanups have started.

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 31/07/2018 19:55

PROTEST UPDATE FROM SOL PLAATJE MUNICIPALITY:

Tomorrow, Wednesday, 1st August 2018 all barricades in Galeshewe should have been removed to allow free flow of traffic. Motorists should also be cautious as Municipal teams will be clearing all barricades to allow school children and parents to proceed to their destinations. Businesses and public Institutions like clinics and hospitals are expected to function normally. All other municipal services shall also be provided and all enquiries should be referred to our call centre 053 8306111 or SMS 44204. All acts of criminality should be directed to police. We apologise to residents and businesses for all the inconvenience

Regards
Sello Matsie
Spokesperson
Sol Plaatje Municipality

KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN UPDATE 31/07/2018 18:45

At tonight’s community meeting community leader, Tumelo Mosikare, said that the shutdown is being halted. Children can go back to school and employees can return to work. 

The shutdown is being halted but this is most probably not the end of the line.  The community leaders have promised throughout the process that they will hold local government and politicians accountable and continue to work towards the lowering of high electricity and service delivery prices.  If the outcome of the High Court hearing of 22 August 2018 is in Matika’s favour it may also spark renewed protest action.

ANC NEC Deployees to Kimberley Cele, Mkhize briefing media on outcome of meeting re: Galeshewe. Happy shutdown is called off and normalisation of situation. Noted High Court Judgement ordering mayor Matika to step down. Plans meetings with community at soonest opportunity. pic.twitter.com/wOKHkLB4Xd

— Lester Kiewit (@lesterkk) July 31, 2018

#KimberleyShutDown Leader Tumelo Mosikare says Galeshewe residents have agreed to start cleaning up the township. He says children will go back to school and workers will to back to work #SABCNews

— Nkgono Neria (@neriahlakotsa) July 31, 2018

TO VIEW THE TIMELINE OF PREVIOUS UPDATES AND INFORMATION ON THE 2018 KIMBERLEY SHUTDOWN MARCH / PROTESTS PLEASE VISIT
The Kimberley Shutdown 2018 – ARCHIVE PAGE AT https://www.kimberley.org.za/?p=20514

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