ENGCOBO- Eastern Cape premier directs urgent intervention into grievances over Dr AB Xuma municipal manager, while warning protesters against disrupting schools and businesses
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has ordered an urgent investigation into allegations surrounding the municipal manager of Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality, following protests and shutdowns in Ngcobo.
Mabuyane issued the directive on Thursday after meeting with the provincial MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Zolile Williams, the MEC for Community Safety Xolile Nqatha and the executive mayors of Dr AB Xuma and Chris Hani District municipalities and senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials.
The meeting focused on the growing unrest in Ngcobo, where protesters have raised concerns about the municipality’s municipal manager.
According to the provincial government, some of the grievances are linked to ongoing consequence-management processes involving the municipality, as the employer and certain municipal employees.
Mabuyane has instructed CoGTA MEC to establish the facts surrounding the allegations, engage with affected workers and ensure that the disputes are dealt with through the appropriate municipal governance and labour processes.
A report on the allegations against the municipal manager must be submitted within one calendar month, the premier said.
He has also directed CoGTA to make investigation reports concerning alleged wrongdoing at Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality available to the public, where legally permissible.
“Where allegations are made, they must be properly investigated and the facts established,” Mabuyane said.
He added that consequence management must apply where wrongdoing or breaches of governance rules and the law are established, regardless of whether those involved are politicians, civil servants or municipal employees.
The premier also sought to draw a line between the constitutional right to protest and conduct that disrupts the lives of other residents.
Mabuyane said government respected the right to peaceful protest but warned that protesters could not prevent children from attending school, stop people from going to work or force businesses to shut their doors.
“The right to protest peacefully is protected by our Constitution. But that right does not extend to preventing children from attending school, stopping people from going to work or compelling businesses to close,” he said.
Furthermore, the MEC for Community Safety has consequently been instructed to work with SAPS and other authorities to prevent further disruption to schooling and lawful commercial activity in Ngcobo.
The premier said government had a dual responsibility, to respond to legitimate grievances while maintaining public order and protecting the rights of other residents.
“Our responsibility as government is twofold, we must listen and act where legitimate concerns are raised, and at the same time uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all residents,” he said.
In addition the provincial government said it would continue working with the Chris Hani District and Dr AB Xuma local municipalities in an effort to resolve the grievances and restore normality in Ngcobo.
Photographs: Kuhle Ngenelwa
14 August 2026
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