KLCBT calls for urgent resolve and leadership – Road blockages Mbombela
The KLCBT called for immediate action and leadership by key government stakeholders to resolve the issue of the road blockages around Mbombela, directing an urgent letter to MEC Shongwe (Community Safety, Security & Liaison), MEC Kholwane (Finance, Economic Development & Tourism), Brig Adolph (SAPS), Cllr Mathonsi (Executive Mayor Mbombela) and Cllr Jesta Sidell (Speaker Mbombela):
“This is an urgent appeal to yourself to intervene and take leadership in finding a solution to resolve the protests which are causing the major access routes to Mbombela to be blocked.
There is a major outcry from our members, because of a lack of productivity and loss of business as result of staff not being able to come to work.
From experience we have learnt that if there is no timeous intervention, it escalates and more and more routes are blocked and the level of violence also escalates to serious injuries, loss of property and even death. This has to be prevented at all costs.
On behalf of the business community, we appeal urgent intervention, today, to prevent further business losses at a time we can least afford it. Please also consider the thousands of workers who may not get paid for the days they are unable to come to work.
It is my understanding that the reason for the protests is technical, because of the replacement of a ward councilor, and we cannot let such a local problem, cause inconvenience and losses to the entire community of Mbombela, as well as tourists trying to reach the airport and possibly risk missing international flights.”
Earlier, the organization’s Executive Director for Tourism, Ms Lisa Sheard directed her attention to similar stakeholders to resolve the road blockages around Sabie, which threatened the cancellation of a major Mountain Biking event. We are very pleased that calm has been restored and the race is taking place as scheduled.
Linda Grimbeek
COO
19 February 2016
