[Press Statement] LHR issues writs for Municipal Manager and Mayor of Lusikisiki
Nine months after having their homes demolished allegedly by the Inqguza Hill Local Municipality in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, over 150 people from the New Rest community remain without shelter or basic services. This is despite the court order of 18 October 2016 by the High Court in Grahamstown directing the Municipality to provide its constituents with emergency shelter and aid.
When the Municipality failed to comply with the order, the New Rest community took the Municipality back to court for urgent contempt proceedings, seeking specific relief against the Municipal Manager of Inqguza Hill Local Municipality and the Mayor of Lusikisiki. On 29 December 2016, the Community successfully obtained an order, which sought to arrest the government officials if they failed to comply with the order granted two months before.
Subsequently, the Municipality and its officials unsuccessfully applied for leave to appeal the contempt order to both the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal. On 15 May 2017, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed the petition with costs.
Today, steadfast in its approach, LHR publicly announces the issue of writs for the arrest of Mr Mluleki Fihlane, the Municipal Manager of Inqguza Hill Local Municipality, and Mr Patrick Mdingi, the Mayor of Lusikisiki. Together with the New Rest community, LHR stands behind the position that no one is above the Rule of Law.
For more information please contact, Carol Mohlala, Media and Communications Manager on 079 238 9826 or Louise Du Plessis, Land and Housing Programme Manager on 082 346 0744