MEDIA STATEMENT
TO: ALL MEDIA
ATTENTION: JOURNALISTS AND EDITORS
ISSUED: FRIDAY, 10 MAY 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ensuring safety amidst community engagement meetings
In compliance to legislative obligations and our commitment to reaching all corners of our beautiful city, Mogale City Executive Mayor Danny Thupane, his Mayoral Committee and municipal officials have embarked on a series of community engagements as part of the annual Integrated Development Plan (IDP) roadshows.
Commencing on 9 April 2024, these roadshows were designed to foster direct dialogue with residents, ensuring their voices are heard in the shaping of our city’s future. A handful of these community engagements were originally scheduled to be conducted via radio until 16 May 2024, informed by intelligence indicating potential threats to the safety of our political leadership. Despite these concerns, responding to community calls for face-to-face engagement and driven by our unwavering commitment to serve the people of Mogale City, our leadership chose to proceed with physical engagements.
Tragically on Wednesday, 8 May 2024, one of our political leaders’ vehicle came under attack while enroute to an IDP meeting. While we are thankful that swift action by our protection unit averted any threat to loss of life, enhanced security measures through our Public Safety officials was critical during these public engagements.
Moving forward, stringent security protocols will be implemented to safeguard the well-being of residents, municipal employees, and senior officials alike. Nevertheless, it should be noted that members of the media are always welcome to observe the proceedings however, media personnel will be restricted from filming inside the venues as part of enhanced security measures. As conveners of these public engagements with set goals and desired legislative outcomes, managing any threats to achieving these objectives will remain a priority for the municipality.
Despite the challenges and threats to safety, our dedication to equitable service delivery remains. The municipality is thus committed to fulfilling our obligations to all constituencies and will continue to honour our scheduled IDP engagements.
We also wish to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the community for their ongoing support and understanding during this time. Together, we can navigate these challenges and emerge stronger, ensuring a brighter future for the city and its people.
Ends.
Issued by Mogale City Corporate Communications on behalf of the Office of the Executive Mayor