DA FEDERAL CONGRESS CAPE TOWN 2010

By Cllr. Francois Bekker
Public representatives and branch members from Pretoria attended the DA Federal Congress held in Cape Town on 24 and 25 July. It is exciting to see how the DA gears itself to becoming the leading political party promoting a genuine constitutional democracy with core values such as the rule of law. The DA firmly believes that only an Open Opportunity society will enhance the quality of life of all South Africans.
An ID/DA marriage seems imminent considering the warm reception ID leader Patricia de Lille had when she addressed the Congress. This proves the DA's commitment to realign the party political landscape of South Africa to stop the power abuse by the ANC.
Helen Zille was re-elected as Leader of the DA unopposed. Dr. Wilmot James was elected as the new Federal chairperson. The three deputy chairpersons are Anchen Dreyer (MP Gauteng), Dianne Kohler Barnard (MP KwaZulu-Natal) and Dr. Ivan Meyer ( Western Cape minister).

ANOTHER POLITICAL APPOINTMENT FEARED

Issued by Cllr. Karen Meyer

The DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE cannot understand why the ANC in the Tshwane Metro Council insists on constantly ignoring all rules and regulations.
The fact that Robert McBride is on a short list and one of five possible appointments as Strategic Executive Director of Community Safety, is to say the least, a scary thought!
The DA is of the firm view that lawbreakers cannot be law enforcers. The fact that this unacceptable practice includes a possible senior position is direct evidence of the corrupt processes and attitudes of the ruling administration in the Tshwane Metro Council.
How someone such as McBride could even be on a short list for such an important position shows us that the ANC has the full intention of ensuring another political appointment.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) Act, Act 68 of 1995, Section 64D clearly stipulates that “a Municipal Council may appoint only the FIRST Chief of Police as a “fit and proper person”. Thereafter, in terms of Section 64C, the Chief must be a member of the Municipal Police.
Therefore, only the first appointment may be a political appointment! Thereafter, the Chief must have completed a Traffic Diploma and a Municipal Police Diploma. These requirements can only be waived by the National Commissioner and only with regard to the first appointment. No waiving of the rule can now be considered, as the relevant legislation does not allow this to happen at all!
The question is: “Did McBride obtain these qualifications?”
Regulation 11 of the act further states that with regard to the requirements for appointment that “such a person has no previous criminal convictions”. It is a known fact that Robert McBride has charges of drunken driving and obstruction of justice charges against him. What happens if the Council appoints him and he is found guilty in a month or two? Will he receive a “golden handshake” as has become the norm in this Council to get rid of all previous appointments?
It is quite worrying that of all persons who applied, McBride be deemed one of the chosen few. The DA would like to see the CV’s of everyone who applied, as our sources inform us that at least three of the five do not qualify! Was this done on purpose so that McBride will stand out and be the chosen one?
Information available to us also indicates that candidates with the necessary experience, qualifications and expertise, as well as excellent background checks, were not even considered.
The fact that the two unions of Council, IMATU and SAMWU, were not invited to the interviews, is another grave concern. According to the Council’s staffing and recruitment policy, a collective agreement states that they must form part of the process to ensure transparency. So much for transparency!!
We, as residents of Pretoria, cannot afford to be saddled with incompetent and incapable Metro Police Officers that we cannot trust. Responsible action of the ANC-governed Council should be to assess the whole evaluation process.
The DA therefore intends to introduce an urgent motion in this regard at the next Council meeting.

LIGHTS OUT FOR TSHWANE

Issued by Cllr. Gert Pretorius

According to Alderman Gert Pretorius, Leader of the DA Caucus in the Tshwane Metro, “The Tshwane Metro is sitting on a time bomb ready to explode, the municipal area's lights will go of if drastic action is not taken soon. “
According to a presentation made to the portfolio committee: Public works and infrastructure development, the city is in a predicament. Most of the infrastructure is far beyond the replacement date and there are no funds to replace critical components. The replacement value of the city's electricity infrastructure totals more than R 15 Billion. Pretorius said that the electricity department needed R750 million annually to ensure that the city's power keeps on flowing, but only received R303 million, thus a short fall of R447 million! The effects here are too terrible to comprehend".
Economic development and continuous electricity supply goes hand in hand. In Pretoria North and Akasia, many developments are being rejected because there is not sufficient power supply. If the lack in maintenance is added to the equation, the situation of the city’s future is dire.
To make matters worse, the ANC government of the city uses the profits emanating from the sale of electricity to fund the general budget. In well run cities all over the world, 5% of the value of infrastructure is spent on maintenance and preventative maintenance. If one looks at the spending patterns in the Tshwane Metro over the past years, it is clear that a sharp decline in maintenance occurred since the ANC came to power. The situation is not sustainable; the city's ability to supply electricity will collapse if we continue on this trend. To eliminate the Maintenance backlog, almost a third of the capital budget is needed. This situation is an indication of very poor political management.
This would never happen in a DA controlled City.

STEEP INCREASE IN BUS FARE TARIFFS

Steep increase in bus fare tariffs is insensitive and counter-productive

The sudden hike in bus fare tariffs introduced by the Tshwane Metro today came as a shock to commuters who rely on public transport in our city. “Lacking any hint of decency or sensitivity to at least inform these commuters beforehand just shows how the ANC led Tshwane Metro lost touch with the people on grass roots level.” said Councillor Justus de Goede. “Even I as a member of the Portfolio for Transport and Roads only learnt about the increase via the media today.” he added.
The DA seriously questions the administrative correctness of the process that resulted in the tariff increase. “Clearly, the way in which this matter is handled by the Metro can only be described as thoughtless and ill-judged” de Goede said. “It is shocking how the lack of leadership by the Tshwane mayor affects effective, reliable and affordable service delivery to the tax and rate payers of our city across the board.” de Goede added.
The increases are considerable and will surely put pressure on people who already struggle to make ends meet. “This is not how you stimulate economic growth by continuously putting hazards in the way of people who struggle to remain economically active.” De Goede said.
“Another concern is the negative impact this tariff increase will have on pensioners and disabled persons who in many cases might find it impossible to come by with the steep tariffs implemented today” said Councillor Francois Bekker, DA member of the Public Transport and Roads Portfolio. “A vision impaired gentleman working for a very small state salary told us today that this steep tariff increase will impede his ability to travel to his workplace.”
The DA criticised the steep increase as being insensitive and counter-productive and appealed to the Tshwane Metro to consider the needs and circumstances of the people of our city with more empathy.

Cllr Justus de Goede
DA Spokesperson: Public Transport and Roads Portfolio
(083 733 2557)

Cllr Francois Bekker
DA member: Public Transport and Roads Portfolio
(073 0876 999)