Disagreement is ensuing between civic organisations regarding the proposed shutdown of Mamelodi township on Monday.
On the one hand civic movement Soil of Africa insists that there will be a shutdown of the township on Monday while on the other hand organisations like the Progressive Civic Congress Tshwane, SANCO, MKP, ANC, Notinmyname disagree.
The organisations Region 6 convener Jack Simelane says there is no such.
“As stakeholders we don’t agree with Soil of Africa that there must be a shutdown in Mamelodi on Monday; children must go to school and workers must go to work on that day,” he said.
“We have dealt with the case of the two murdered ladies in Mamelodi and the suspect will be appearing in court again on 19 January 2026 and there is therefore no need for a shutdown of the township,” said Simelane.
“If we want Premier Panyaza Lessufi and Mayor Nasiphi Moya to come to Mamelodi they will come and a shutdown is not necessary to force them to do so,” said Simelane.
“To Mamelodi residents we are saying Monday is a normal day and if the Premier and the Mayor don’t come to Mamelodi then as the Progressive Civic Congress we will come back to you as residents and ask for a fresh mandate regarding what steps to take because a shutdown is carried out by residents and not us as leaders of the community,” he said.
President of Concerned Residents for Service Delivery in Mamelodi Oupa Mtshweni also said he was against the said shutdown as Soil of Africa has not consulted them in this regard.
“I am surprised by the so-called shutdown and I am hurt that Soil of Africa is using our name in calling for a shutdown,” he said.
“I always consult residents of Mamelodi before taking any action and we are concerned that the proposed shutdown will affect learners who are writing their exams and workers will be dismissed from their jobs, so we feel the timing of the shutdown is not right,” said Mtshweni.
SANCO Zonal Secretary in Mamelodi Daphney Kunene said they are also surprised by the call for a shutdown.
“Bongani Ramontja of Soil of Africa must not come with nonsensical statements, he does not own us as the people of Mamelodi, and Monday will be a normal day and we urge our SANCO members to go out in large numbers and protect all workers learners and the malls in Mamelodi,” said Kunene.
Nellmapius-based Ward 15 Councillor Joel Masilela told Tshwane Talks that there hasn’t been any decision taken by residents of Mamelodi for a shutdown.
“Mamelodi won’t be shut down, people must go on with their usual business and learners must go to school and write their exams,” he said.
Civic Organization, Notinmyname has distanced itself from the planned shut down of Mamelodi by Soil of Africa.
Its secretary general, Themba Masango said they are not part and not involved in the shutdown and were never consulted and don’t know anything about it and are not part of it.
McMillan Pitje MKP Tshwane secretary Sub region 6 said they received calls regarding the shut down on Monday and residents are very concerned.
“We are totally against this shut down.
The timing is wrong, and no stakeholders were consulted about the shut down,” .
Pitje said there are over 700 000 learners across the country writing exams and they don’t want to disturb that.
“It’s month end, our hawkers, our parents should open so that they can pay rent.
The timing is very much wrong. In Mamelodi whenever you are planning anything regarding Mamelodi as long as you are saying Mamelodi and Mamelodian’s must be involved whatever political parties or civic movements or what ever you must indeed consult all stakeholders of Mamelodi because you are talking or claiming to be representing people of Mamelodi,” he said.
Pitje said when one are claiming to represent people of Mamelodi make sure you engage all stakeholders because problems are beyond political lines.
“Our problems are the same”.
Be that as it may, Soil of Africa Chairperson Bongani Ramontja said the following:
“The community of Mamelodi has been clouded by an echo of darkness and as community leaders we must do something to address this ugly situation.
He said more than 102 people have been killed by gangsters in Mamelodi and that there hasn’t been any arrests.
Ramontja said all Mamelodi activists must stand up and fight against the scourge of killings in the township.
“Those who open their malls will be doing so at their own risk, we are saying Mayor Moya and Premier Panyaza Lessufi must come down to the people and sort out this issue and and Mamelodi will therefore be shut down from 9 am until 2pm on Monday,” vowed Ramontja.
Tshwane Talks readers have been able to read stories in this publication for free for over two years now. We still want our readers to access our stories for free, but we are asking those among our readers who can afford it to contribute at least R30 a month to cover some of the costs of publishing this independent, non-aligned online newspaper which gives a voice to all sectors of society irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion, or political affiliation. You may make your contribution by depositing at least R30 a month into Tshwane Talks' bank account. Details are as follows:
Bank Details
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 10225548834
Account Type: Cheque Account