Bubi villagers demand CEO's resignation

Bubi resident stormed the Rural District Council (RDC) offices on Monday demanding the resignation of the chief executive officer, Mr Patson Mlilo and other senior staff members over alleged inconsistencies in the execution of their work. The villagers are accusing Mr Mlilo and his subordinates of disrespect and indifference to their grievances.

Their intention to demonstrate was, however, short-lived as they were reportedly barred by the police for not having a clearance.

The villagers said they had lost confidence in the council leadership and demanded that the entire senior staff resigns with immediate effect.

A Chronicle news crew visited the business centre yesterday and met some of the angry placard-wielding villagers.

"We are not happy with the treatment we are getting from the RDC offices. Things are not done accordingly and council workers do not respect us," said Mr Joshua Mthethwa.

"We have approached them on numerous occasions to present our grievances but they just ignore us. We no longer want these workers here because they are not delivering the expected service."

According to the villagers" position paper, a copy that was shown to the news crew, the villagers want Mr Mlilo, Mr Siqhubumthetho Dube, who is in charge of administration, the Campfire officer, a Mr S Munyambi and the engineering technician Mr Jackias Mhlanga to be fired.

Their "crimes" include disrespect for villagers, pegging residential stands in villagers" territory, polluting Pollards Dam and threats that villagers would be relocated.

Mr Mlilo denied the accusations.

"We no longer want these people here. Mr Mlilo and his team must leave our office and go. We want peace in this district. This is our land," said Mr Zenzo Ndlovu, the chairperson of the Bubi District Association Development Group.

"We wanted to show our anger but the police advised us to get a clearance first and we have been given the go ahead to demonstrate next week on Monday."

A woman who declined to be named said the pegging of residential stands in their village was going to pollute the water at the dam.

"The problem is that council is encroaching into our villages and they are busy allocating stands towards the dam. We fear that sewage would spill into the dam and pollute our water and cause cholera," said the woman.

Written on the placards were messages such as "CEO Bubi get out of office, Can you please move out of our offices, CEO Bubi asikufuni labanye bakho, land, schools and Campfire are ours".

Said another villager: "This land belongs to Chief Mtshana Khumalo and our forefathers. We want to be given first preference in service. We want to be listened to and to be protected by the council.

"At some point Mr Mlilo said all villagers surrounding the business centre would be forced to relocate to Gokwe to pave way for new residential areas," said the villager.

Meanwhile, animosity has also erupted between residents in the business centre and the villagers.

Mr Mandlenkosi Dube, the chairperson of Inyathi Business Centre Progressive Stand Holders Association, lashed out at the villagers accusing them of blocking development.

"This issue is all about regionalism. These people want to block development of the town. They simply do not want other people from outside Bubi to have housing stands here.

"Unfortunately, there are some council workers who support them. Now there is a dispute over these stands. Mr Mlilo has never addressed us over the issue," said Mr Dube.

"There are more than 300 housing stands here and the owners are now afraid because of harassment by villagers and some council staff. We have even stopped paying rentals because of this dispute."

Mr Dube warned that residents would be forced to take the matter to court if the council failed to resolve it.

Mr Mlilo was not in his office when sought for comment yesterday afternoon.

However, in a telephone interview later in the day, he said the accusations laid against him were unfounded.

"Akulalutho. It is only that there is one influential person who is bitter about failing to acquire stands at the business centre. If villagers have grievances, they should take them to their councillors," said Mr Mlilo.

"A lot of local politics is involved and I think councillors should organise meetings with the villagers and explain to them some of the council procedures."

Mr Mlilo said most villagers were bitter that they failed to develop the stands they acquired under the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai programme.

He said the villagers were not happy that the new occupants were now developing the stands.