Lupane residents fume over empty promises

Thembelihle Mhlanga

The air in Lupane is thick with more than just the dust of dry roads as discontent hangs heavy. Residents under the Kusile Rural District Council (KRDC) have reached their boiling point, fed up with a council they say neglects their basic needs and leaves them living in the dark ages.

“We are suffering here,” lamented Moses Ncube, a resident of Lake Alice for over two decades. “No water, no roads, no bridges. We drink dirty river water, cook with firewood, and walk miles for healthcare and education. The council? They only show up during elections with empty promises!”
His words echo the sentiments of many in Lupane.

Mavis Phuthi of Lupaka Village expressed frustration with the council’s opaqueness. “They don’t tell us anything! They don’t listen, they don’t involve us, they treat us like beggars. Where does our money go?” she questioned, reflecting the residents’ desire for transparency and accountability.

Healthcare woes are another source of deep concern. Nhlanhla Dube of Zikungwa Village paints a grim picture: “People are dying! No clinics, no medicine, we rely on traditional healers. Imagine being 15km away from the nearest health facility and if the Gwayi river floods we will be cut off from accessing the health services”, said Dube

The council has its own story to tell. Proportional Representation Councillor Thulisani Nkomo points to financial constraints. “We are trying with little resources,” she shared. “Low rates and levy payments make service delivery difficult. Even central government delays realizing devotion funds, and when they come, they are earmarked for specific projects.” said Clr Nkomo

Cllr Nkomo urged residents to cooperate and pay their dues, highlighting that residents meeting their obligations, but residents are reluctant to contribute without seeing any progress.

This is a fate of broken trust, unmet needs, and limited resources. The residents of Lupane demand better service, and the council grapples with a complex reality. Whether they can find common ground and bridge the gap between promises and progress remains to be seen.