Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo addressing protesters in Pretoria
Pretoria
By Joseph Chirume.
The community of Engcobo in the Eastern Cape has escalated their protest action against the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality by camping at the doorstep of President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. They say all options had been exhausted in their struggle to clean out alleged corruption from the corridors of power in the local municipality.
The community of this once peaceful rural town in the Eastern Cape chose a group of residents who arrived in Pretoria this week and set up camp at the historic Union Building, needing nothing more than meeting President Ramaphosa or a senior member from his office. They demanded either the President, or his emissary visit their town and grasp the veracity of alleged corruption and lack of service delivery in the municipality.
The protesters distanced themselves from a popular sentiment rife in the community that its leaders are stirring up anarchy in a bid to position themselves for the impending 2026 local elections.
One of the leaders camping in Pretoria, Gcobani Nkwele, told The Eastern Cape Messenger, “The protest started in 2021 and it’s not a new thing. It’s a continuation of the mass action from that time. It’s just propaganda that is being sent out by our municipality to make it look like we’re gunning for positions in 2026. We are not even affiliated with any political party. It’s a combination of several political parties that have come together and decided to stop the alleged corruption happening in our town. It’s just propaganda by the municipality.”
To reinforce their struggle, some protesters will embark on a march to the national parliament on 5 August to drum up support from parliamentarians to escalate their struggle to have allegations of corruption investigated in the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality.
Part of a poster calling for people to participate in a protest in Cape Town reads, “The people of Ngcobo, in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Pretoria, will be marching to Parliament to fight for our rights. We invite everyone to join us in this peaceful demonstration.”
The protest action and the subsequent camping out at President Ramaphosa’s offices also received a boost from the King of the Abathembu Nation, King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who confirmed his attendance.
Chairperson of Soul of Africa, King Bongani Ramontja said, “Soil of Africa stands with King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo and the people of Engcobo against corruption and injustice.”
Approached for comment on the issue, the Dr AB Xuma Municipality said, “We wish to state that this action is a lawful expression of their democratic rights, and the Municipality respects the right of all residents to protest peacefully and to make their voices heard through constitutional channels.”
Communications Manager Sivuyile Myeko told the Eastern Cape Messenger, “Community members who suspect wrongdoing are strongly encouraged to report such matters directly to the South African Police Service (SAPS), which is empowered to investigate allegations of corruption, as well as other oversight bodies.
“The Office of the Mayor, along with other administrative and political offices within the Municipality, remains fully open and accessible to members of the public for engagement. As a matter of principle and practice, the Municipality continues to actively conduct stakeholder engagements and community consultations. These platforms are designed to foster transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.”
According to Myeko, the Municipality remains committed to working with all residents, civil society groups and law enforcement agencies to address issues of public concern in a lawful and constructive manner.
