Ratepayers, opposition, unions welcome Kabuso victory
NELSON Mandela Bay organisations, unions and political parties have welcomed yesterday’s release of the full Kabuso Forensic Report to The Herald and Weekend Post.
Several Bay associations held a briefing session with Local Government MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane at the Luzipho Noninzi (formerly Pleinhuis) Building at 2pm yesterday regarding the contents of the controversial report, which investigated contentious municipal projects, land sales and tenders.
Bay Ratepayers’ Association chairman Kobus Gerber said: “We were invited to listen to the MEC talk about the full contents of the Kabuso report. The mayor promised to cancel all the leases of the [Willows and Beachview] resorts. We are hopeful he will stick to his guns.
“We are grateful the mayor stood up and dismissed former acting municipal manager Elias Ntoba. And we are grateful that he’s standing up against [ANC regional chairman Nceba] Faku.
“That gives us hope that the mayor is against corruption and mismanagement. He wants to ensure that ratepayers’ money is well-managed and well-spent. That’s a step in the right direction for the mayor.”
Non-Political Forum chairman Xolani Tengo and forum members held a braai last night to celebrate the release of the report. “We opened cases of fraud and corruption with the Hawks on Monday against Faku, Buhlebendalo [the company leasing the Van Stadens resort] and Madiba Bay Resorts. We are happy with the release of the report, although the MEC responded late.”
SA National Civic Organisation regional chairman Tony Duba said the release of the report heralded an end to speculation about what it contained. Bay Business Chamber chief executive Kevin Hustler could not be reached for comment. UDM councillor Mongameli Bobani said: “We welcome the initiative taken by Avusa Media of forcing the government to be accountable and make the report public. Now all those implicated must face the music.”
PAC councillor Anele Yawa said: “This is a victory to all the progressive forces that were fighting for the report to be released because it’s in the public interest.”
COPE councillor Mzwandile Hote said: “We hail The Herald and Avusa Media for their dedication in fighting for press freedom and for having led the whole process. The court judgment is a victory for the whole nation.”
DA caucus spokesman Knight Ntabeni said: “In council, we’ll call for those implicated to be held accountable.”
ANC regional secretary Zandisile Qupe was unavailable for comment.
SA Communist Party district secretary Zukile Jodwana said: “What has happened is long overdue because the Kabuso report highlighted many important issues that have to do with the metro’s administration.”
Congress of SA Trade Unions Eastern Cape secretary Mandla Rayi said: “Now the law must take its course against those implicated.”
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