The Laudium Sun has received a number of complaints against Cllr Naeem Patel (Changu) and his perceived side kick, Laudium CPF Chair, Shaheen Wahab (Mangu).
The pair more fondly known as the ‘Changu Mangu’ couple, are accused of misleading the community, posting false statements, making hollow statements purely for the sake of publicity, hiding relevant information from the community, being vindictive towards those who oppose or expose them, etc… Herewith information of some of the posts the couple sent individually or sent by the one and supported by the other, which has not only irked many residents but also raised questions as to whether the pair are fit to serve the community…
During April, the CPF under its chair, Mangu, issued a statement that CPF members apprehended the mastermind behind the recent spate of hijacking attempts in the Laudium area. The CPF claimed that their members tracked down the suspect and apprehended him and furthermore the CPF asked the community to handover evidence of crime matters to them, such as CCTV footage…
Firstly the police spokesperson at area level, stated that the CPF does not have the power to track down and apprehend suspects and that they have no authority to ask the public for evidence related to crime, including CCTV footages. Secondly, despite requesting for the case number of the alleged arrest of the hijacking suspect and the outcome of the case, the police were baffled as they were not even aware of such a case. Both the spokesperson and the Laudium Station Commander who were asked by the Laudium Sun for info on this matter could not answer.
The Laudium Sun challenges the CPF to let the public know the outcome of the alleged case.
Many residents believe that Changu as Councillor, has been vindictive towards the newly formed Concerned Community Forum (CCF), to the point that he has falsely indicated that ‘his’ Ward 61 Residents Association (W61RA) has been active all the time, since it was formed. It is believed that despite the W61RA not being active, Changu has just been giving them credit by adding their name onto his social media statements, as if they have been involved with him. At a recent public meeting held with the various gated communities in Laudium, the non functioning of the Ward 61 Residents Association was brought up, with residents agreeing that the association was in fact dormant. Now, all of a sudden after the recent announcement by the pair of ‘Iron Ladies’ that the time has come for residents to get involved via the CCF, all of a sudden the Changu Councillor without any shame, has misled the community by pretending that ‘his’ residents association has been active all the time…
Nevertheless the Laudium Sun challenges the Changu Councillor, to produce minutes of meetings and the attendance register of the W61RA to the community, showing exactly how many meetings were held and who attended these meetings during the past years since inception. Also, Changu should tell the community why the then Chair of the W61RA, Zakiya Sheik had resigned or was ‘missing in action’ and what was his relationship with her.
Mangu should explain to the community, how come his CPF, who apparently have a close working relationship with the police, have given misleading information on the number plate of the lookout grey BMW, concerning the recent kidnapping of Ali Amjad…
While many, including the Laudium Sun depend on the public for correct information, at times such information proves later to be wrong and hence gets corrected, especially on social media platforms. However, the CPF has still not changed the information or acknowledged that the wrong number plate was posted on its social media post as the lookout BMW vehicle involved in the kidnapping.
Changu should be honest with the residents of Ward 61, and confess what role he or his ANC party played concerning the proposed boundary changes of Ward 61, with Gerhardsville being removed and the ‘Spruit’ area which falls under the Mooiplaas area to now be incorporated into Ward 61, by the Demarcation Board.
He should also explain to the community when did he first come to know of the proposed changes and why did he and his Ward Committee not ask for comments from the community on these proposed changes. Changu should also explain as to why he misled the community by posting that the meeting for the hearing of the proposed change in the demarcation of Ward 61 was on May 21, when in fact that date was long changed to June 20th. Also Changu says that there were various other proposals for the demarcation changes of Ward 61, but that these proposals were rejected. Rejected by who? So why are the current proposals to include one voting station from Mooiplaas to Ward 61 not rejected? For the record Itireleng which has about 30 000 people, mostly illegal foreigners, has only one voting station. Changu should also explain to the community why he called certain residents from White Blocks uneducated,also saying that he did not need their votes as he had three thousand votes that would now come in from Mooiplaas. The Laudium Sun challenges Changu to deny this accusation.
Mangu, was an embarrassment as he deliberately walked in front of the camera promoting himself, when the young boy, Imtiaz Daniels, a supporter of the Palestinian cause, who was arrested with four other adults during the recent soccer game at Loftus, was being interviewed after his release…
Was it again a desperate attempt to promote yourself in front of the camera, even during this painful time of innocent people being arrested?
Changu, again showed to some, that he was more focussed on being in the front of the cameras that were at the court during the bail hearing on Monday (May 12) for the five soccer fans and Palestinian activists, arrested during a soccer match at Loftus the day before, for wearing T-shirts in support of Palestine. Cllr Changu seemed to have no clue about what was happening at the bail hearing on the Monday, as none of the five who were arrested were released on that Monday.
Yet Changu posted on his social media that the young Imtiaz was released on that Monday which was completely false, as all five were only released four days later on the Wednesday. He further posted on the Wednesday that all five were released on R1000 bail, that was also false, as the minor was released without bail.
Changu posted on the Sunday evening, (May 10) after the five soccer fans were arrested at Loftus, “I’ve reached out to Brigadier Ntini via CPF Chairperson Shaheen Wahab to assist those detained.. CPF Tshwane District Exco member Shaheen Wahab, myself and other CPF members …are currently en route to Sunnyside Police Station to address the situation…we have engaged with the Regional Chairperson and Provincial Commissioner General Ntombeni…”
Yes and then what happened? What did your Mangu do, did he get the 5 out, NO. instead they had to sit in jail until Wednesday.
Changu on the Monday posted, “We once again strongly condemn the SAPS’s heavy handed treatment of Palestinian activists at the Loftus Interrnational soccer match. CPF Chair Shaheen Wahab and I left the Sunnyside Police Station at 11pm after lawyers failed to secure bail for the five arrested activists… We’ve contact the Minister of Sports (Gayton McKenzie of the PA, the same PA that is totally pro Israel)
and National Commissioner to investigate the incident…”
So why did Changu not criticize his ANC led Tshwane Council, as the Tshwane Metro Police were also involved in chasing and harassing the Palestinian supporters away? Further, Changu has been quick to criticise those in the Muslim community who associate themselves with pro- Israeli people, yet he sees fit to engage with Gayton from the PA, whose party recently visited Israel and praised the Israeli Government. Furthermore, yes we are all very impressed that you and your Mangu contacted the Sports Minister and the National Police Commissioner and you even got a call from the Deputy Minister of Justice, Andries Nel. How impressive. But tell us with all the contacts of yours and Shaheen’s what happened, why did you not get the five activists out on Sunday or Monday and what has happened thus far with your complaints?
Mangu’s CPF apparently released a press statement that a drug dealer was arrested during a police operation in the Laudium area on Friday, May 9, under the leadership of their chairperson and the Ward Councillor (Changu and Mangu)…
However, the Laudium Sun understands that no one was charged for dealing in drugs and that two others who were charged for possession of a small quantity of drugs were released, as charges against them were withdrawn.
The Laudium Sun further challenges Changu and Mangu to prove that the Police operation was carried out under their leadership.