Deputy Mayor of Newcastle, Musa ‘Sugar’ Thwala has recently come under fire for allegedly forcefully evicting a young Madadeni entrepreneur from municipal land. The land in question was used for the young man’s carwash business.
A message that has been circulating on social media claims that the man, aged 23, had been running a carwash business at the Zanele Complex in Section 5, Madadeni, from December 2020. The message went on to say that Deputy Mayor Thwala intended to use the carwash shelters as parking spots for his bodyguards. It also stated that Deputy Mayor Thwala had allegedly sent officials to intimidate and threaten the young businessman.
The Newcastle Municipality has since set its sights on setting the record straight. The Communications Department at the Newcastle Municipality said they are aware of the distorted and untrue social media post. “The municipality denies this with the contempt that it deserves. We would like to categorically place on record that the illegal structure in the form of a carwash business was illegally erected on municipal property, which is earmarked for the development of much-needed road for residents of Madadeni,” said the Communications Department.
They further stated that the commencement of the construction of the road is scheduled to take place in July. “The owner of the illegal structure was notified of the developed plans to construct a road which would benefit the people of Newcastle and was informed that the plan was at an advanced stage. The municipality is saddened and dismayed that a different narrative has been purported in a bid to lobby for public sympathy. The Deputy Mayor remains a caring civil servant of the people of Newcastle, whose aim and intentions are for all roads to be tarred across the town,” said the Communications Department.
The Communications Department further stated that as an institution, the municipality has committed itself to assist small, medium and micro enterprises/businesses.
