Makana Citizens Front
Makana Citizens Front (MCF) is a South African civic movement launched on 16 June 2021 in response to a widely-supported community shutdown protest in Makhanda, a constituent city of the Makana Local Municipality[1]. In the elections of 1 November 2021, MCF won 17.38% of the ward vote and 18.86% of the proportional list vote, placing it second after the governing African National Congress.[2]
MCF entered the race with a list of proportional representation (PR) candidates and candidates in every ward[3].
In their first five months in office, they claimed a string of achievements [4] In April 2022, a renegade faction ousted the original five PR councillors, a move that was found unlawful and was overturned by the Electoral Court in May 2024.[5][6]
Some achievements claimed by MCF are:
- providing evidence to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) resulting in an investigation of corrupt tenders in Makana.[7]
- initiating a complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission on violation of water rights.[8]
- laid criminal charges arising from spending over R2.6-million on a pump that had not been delivered.[9][10][11][12]
- delivered a petition with over 22,000 signatures demanding a national intervention in Makana's water problems to the President.[13]
- taking up labour issues.[14]
References
[edit]- ↑ Vumsindo, Asemahle (19 June 2026). "MCF marks 5 years of grassroots activism". Grocott’s Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Results Summary - All Ballots" (PDF). Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Party Results Report" (PDF). Electoral Commission of South Africa. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 September 2026. Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ Amner, Rod (11 May 2022). "The five elected MCF councillors are still working for you". Grocott’s Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Luvuyo, Mjekula (17 May 2024). "Electoral Court reinstates five 'unlawfully' ousted MCF councillors into Makana council". Grocott’s Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ "Mxube and Others v The Electoral Commission of South Africa and Others (0012/23EC) [2024] ZAEC 15" (PDF). Electoral Court of South Africa. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Attwood, Maru (2025). "Citizen Councillors Challenge Corruption in Makana". Fixlocal. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Vumsindo, Asemahle (12 June 2026). "HRC report scathing about 'uncaring' Makana municipality". Grocott's Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Ellis, Estelle (2 August 2025). "Makana Municipality faces allegations of fraud and corruption over missing R2.6m water pump". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Mpongoma, Ndimphiwe. "Four years, millions spent and a pump still under scrutiny". Grocott’s Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Mjekula, Luvuyo (24 July 2025). "MCF lays criminal charges against Makana leadership". Grocott’s Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Kretzmann, Steve. "Contractor speaks out on Makana pump supply debacle". No. 25 August 2025. GroundUp. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Vumsindo, Asemahle (6 May 2026). "MCF prepares legal battle as presidential deadline passes". Grocott's Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
- ↑ Vumsindo, Asemahle. "MCF taking security company to court over unpaid wages". Grocott’s Mail. Archived from the original on 7 September 2026. Retrieved 7 September 2026.