‘Mafia' tells Gift of the Givers to stop providing free water to Mthatha flood victims
Recent flooding claimed at least 90 lives in the region, displacing hundreds of residents.
Gift of the Givers relief teams now require police escorts to safely deliver essential aid to affected communities.
Gift of the Givers staff was intimidated on Saturday while providing essential aid to flood victims in Mthatha, the Eastern Cape.
According to the OR Tambo District Municipality, the organisation's relief team was threatened by people who demanded that it stop supporting hundreds of displaced residents affected by recent flooding that left at least 90 people dead.
In a statement on Tuesday, the municipality said the humanitarian organisation's staff received threats from 'unknown people'.
'This happened on Saturday when Gift of the Givers was distributing water to flood victims when the criminals directed them to stop what they were doing.'
It condemned the incident.
'We wish to state without fear that extortion is a crime and a moral betrayal of the highest order, especially when directed at those extending a hand to the helpless. To prey on a crisis is to turn pain into profit. It is merciless, and it will not be tolerated,' the municipality said.
Speaking to News24, Gift of the Givers' Ali Sablay confirmed the incident and said it was perpetrated by the 'water mafia'.
'While our teams were busy distributing water, they received a threat from one of the service providers to the [OR Tambo District] municipality. They [the service providers] were concerned that Gift of the Givers was giving water to the communities free of charge.
'We are very grateful to the OR Tambo District Municipality, South African Police Service, King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality's law enforcement and the community who said they would not allow this. They told our teams not to leave as they would deal with people behind the threats.
Sablay added:
It is very sad that during the disaster, greed takes over from people who are supposed to render services to the people.
He said his teams were now being escorted by police when delivering essential aid to affected communities.
They did not open a police case.
The municipality said the incident did not accurately reflect the people of Mthatha and was grateful for Gift of the Givers' assistance.
'This is not who we are. We are people who rebuild, share, and rise for one another. Let us not let the shadows of crime cloud the light of compassion.'
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