In May this year, African National Congress councillor Sabelo Masuku admitted that he evicted children from the facility in Matsulu outside Mbombela to make way for his office.
When asked why the property remained vacant, Masuku said he banned anyone from using it because "it belongs to the municipality".
Three months later, the Mbombela Local Municipality now says it plans to turn it into a war room.
“The Operation Vuka Sisebente (OVS) programme is a provincial initiative aimed at enhancing services delivery in municipalities. So in short the structure is not being turned into the councillor’s office, but into a war room,” said council spokesperson Joseph Ngala on Thursday.
Ngala accused the woman who used the facility as a crèche of "using the plight children to get attention."
“Thuli Nkosi has even taken the matter to the Public Protector’s office without success. When she was given the structure to utilise it temporarily she knew what it meant.
"The very [political] structure she claims to be harassing her is the body that gave her such permission, the ward committee of the area,” said Ngala.
Ngala added that Nkosi made an application to the municipality, which was rejected back in 2012.
"The occupation of the structure in question was a temporary measure as agreed with her. The property belongs to the municipality and has been earmarked for other usage," he said.
Nkosi expressed her disappointment in the municipality's decision to turn the facility into a war room.
“I am so disappointed at the municipality. I feel like they are intimidating me because I fall under a different political party.
"What about the kids that I take care of for free just so they can be safe? I will not just give up this place. If the municipality won't assist me with this vacant space I will take the matter further,” said Nkosi.
Provincial department of social development spokesperson, Ronnie Masilela, said they are not in a position to judge who is wrong or right in the debacle.
“The owner should have legal documentations and from there the department can come and assist with funding,” said Masilela, advising Nkosi to approach social workers for assistance. "The social workers will identify a nearby center where she can temporarily place the kids there."
- African Eye News Service
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