Gugulethu neighbourhood watches boycott lunch
Neighbourhood watches (NHWs) in Gugulethu boycotted a lunch organised to acknowledge them last week, saying they instead wanted to be given food parcels to share with their families.
The 300-strong men and women who work hard to see crime decreasing in their area were not happy and staged a no-show at the Khwezi Community hall where the lunch was held last Wednesday, June 28.
A source close to Vukani said they were clear that, “they will not enjoy a plate of food while there’s nothing at home”.
“One that spoke to me said they are tired of being used and people getting money in their name. Apparently they had a meeting with the organiser of the event and made it clear that they do not want the lunch; instead, they should be given food parcels. That is the reason there is no-show,” he told Vukani at the event that was attended by Mcebisi Skwatsha, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
Member of Gugulethu Sports Council, Nceba Sandlana, who was the sole organiser of the event, expressed his disappointment.
He said his aim was to acknowledge the NHWs for their hard work. He said these are people who, day and night, are always alert and protecting the residents so they deserved recognition.
“This was not only about food but about empowerment too. I invited security companies to come talk to them and give advice on how to get employed as a security guard. There were also other providers who were going to assist them for future purposes. Ours was to host this lunch to honour them but ultimately we want them to be employable. At the same time I wanted them to feel great but they are not here,” said Mr Sandlana.
Responding to the allegation that they were told not to have lunch but to buy food parcels, Mr Sandlana said that was not possible.
“There were such suggestions from them but I told them that in December I had a party for my father and food alone cost me close to R10 000. The money that we have and the amount of R25 000 would not have managed to buy food parcels for 300 people. We had an agreement on that but we were going to have another meeting which they delayed until this day. But when I called, some last night were going to attend, but now this. I am too disappointed. Remember I will have to pay the programme director and the motivational speaker and they are here. I am not feeling right at all, but the show will go on.”
The show really did go on. It seemed that there were people on standby because people were bused in to be part of the lunch.
Ward councillor Thembinkosi Mjuza took the podium and blasted those who he said think they own the neighbourhood watches in Gugulethu.
He said some of those were not even part of it when it was formed. He accused them of getting handouts from a few individuals who are said to have used them for the upcoming election next year.
“Today they speak as if they won it. We are also members of the neighbourhood watch but we are not poor. They treat our people like nothing, giving them food to march on the streets. The sad part was that these people are from outside Gugulethu. We know this is political and we will deal with it in our own way,” he said.
Mr Skwatsha said when initiatives are starting out, usually the initiators find no joy. He encouraged the organisers to keep it up and forge forward. “There are challenges to success. Serve people with a good heart. But Gugulethu must unite. Take a leaf from Khayelitsha. You can say what you want about Khayelitsha but there is only one Khayelitsha Development Forum and those people are one,” he said before leaving for Durban.
He supported those who were behind the event.
The Gugulethu community police forum (CPF) condemned what transpired and have promised to meet with both parties. CPF executive member Linda Kabeni said: “We will facilitate the meeting between the two. We feel there should be a peaceful dialogue to iron out the challenges. We also feel that there is political interference that we cannot confirm now,” he said.
Vukani tried to get hold of the NWHs leaders but were not able to reach them by our deadline.
