[LISTEN] 'I have a Constitutional responsibility to address the people of Alex'- Mashaba
Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba says it's his Constitutional responsibility to engage the people of Alexandra.
This comes after residents of the township, which is situated in Johannesburg, took to the streets to demand an end to the building of illegal structures and a lack of service delivery.
The protest was dubbed the #AlexShutdown and headed to Sandton on Monday where protestors handed over a memorandum of demands to the office of the mayor.
The mayor was not present and sent the city manager Ndivhoniswani Lukhwareni to address the protestors. This led to unhappiness among the protestors who then said they want to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
On Thursday Ramaphosa, dressed in African National Congress (ANC) regalia, met with residents and appealed to the mayor to address the community of Alexandra. Those in attendance rejected the idea though.
Also Read: SAHRC inquiry into Alex to start on Thursday
Speaking to JacaNews, Mashaba said he will go and address the community of Alexandra Monday, as this forms part of the metro's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) session.
"The IDP budget engagement is something that I have to really do, engage the community based on what I can deliver and what I cannot.
"But because obviously with them was a question of lying to people that is why they are threatened by me going in there (Alex).
"I have to go - I have a Constitutional responsibility - but for me, it's more, I have a moral responsibility to share with the people of Alexandra what the city of Joburg budget is and what we can do and what we cannot, " Mashaba said.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) will dispatch a team to Alexandra on Monday and Tuesday as part of gathering information for their public inquiry which is set to start on Thursday.
Also Reda: Use your vote to punish those in power rather than taking to the streets- IRR
SAHRC Gauteng provincial manager, Buang Jones said the inquiry will focus on the provision of basic services, housing issues, sanitation, and environmental degradation in the township.
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has urged communities to use their votes to punish the people rather than those in power.
Terence Corrigan, project manager at the IRR, says elections are a time when people try to draw attention to the issues that they face as communities.