THE mayor of Standerton, Mpumalanga's Lekwa municipality, Juliet Radebe-Khumalo, is intentionally creating a false dilemma by asking whether those who question where she finds the money to live an opulent life want her to live in a shack.

THE mayor of Standerton, Mpumalanga's Lekwa municipality, Juliet Radebe-Khumalo, is intentionally creating a false dilemma by asking whether those who question where she finds the money to live an opulent life want her to live in a shack.

We are certain that they wish her no such discomfort. We want for her what we want for all South Africans - decent settlements in line with human dignity. What Radebe-Khumalo ought to be communicating with her constituency is simply to explain how she affords the life she is living. It is not a sin to be wealthy as long as such wealth is acquired lawfully. There is equally nothing wrong with asking questions of public representatives.

If Radebe-Khumalo does not like people poking their noses into her business, she had better start looking for a job elsewhere. As mayor she remains answerable to the people that got her into office.