By Cllr Jan van Zyl
The frustration of residents with the bad service they receive (also from Customer Service points) is well understood by Councillors representing the Democatic Alliance in the Tshwane Metropolitan Council. All these Councillors experience the very same frustration, and even more, because they have the opportunity to view the ineffectiveness of the governing party and the officials first hand. The hard work a cader did in the so-called struggle, does not make him or she a good official! It is just a "thank you" for services rendered, and the public must suffer becuase of that. The problem the DA in the Council has, is that we are not in a position to push our decisions through Council, and we cannot ensure that the remedies we think are there, are used and tested, simply because all our suggestions are shot down by the ANC.
We do not think they have the political will to improve the position, and I am afraid to say that the the officials who can still do the job, are so demoralized that they are also beinning to lose interest. The other officials, especially those in managerial positions, are mostly, redeployed cadres with not much experience, or qualifications, to ensure the proper working of a local authority. The delays in City Planning applications for example, are frustrating and unnecessary, although sometimes the applicants, and especially their advisors, submit applications not properly completed, which then mean that it cannot be considered in terms of the legislation concerned.
Next year it is municipal elections nationwide, and as far as the Tshwane Metro is concerned, the solution lies in the hands of the residents/voters. Do you know that at present, no less than 43% of Council seats are taken up by opposition parties, but only 48% of registered voters cast their votes in the 2006 election! Your vote can thus make a difference. If all the people register, and turn up to vote, there is a great possibility that the DA alone, or with the assistance of other opposition parties, can take over control of this municipality. And then we can start getting this city back on track again. Then we can ensure that efficient Councillors serve as Executive Mayor and on the Mayoral Committee, and we can ensure that officials do their job according to our policies. And we shall only appoint personnel on merit, and not to thank them for being good supporters! The recently appointed Executive Mayor seems to be a great improvement on the previous one, but that does not say much. It is not easy to improve on Dr Gwen Ramokgopa! One shall see if the talk gets followed up by deeds.
When you sit in the opposition, you want to cry because you can see the solutions, but your ideas never get approved, and tested in practise.
Please influence your neighbours, friends, business associates and family members, to register, and to vote next year. Then we can turn this ship around - not in a week or two, but in time. It is not coincidental that Cape Town is one of the best run cities in the world - it is because there is a party in charge interested in giving service to its community. Do you think it is coincidence that the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Province, get clean audit reports from the Auditor-General, and in places such as Tshwane Metro Council, he does not even want to give an opinion!
Do not hestitate to contact the DA if there are specific things we might be able to help with, or if there are specific questions you would like answered. We are also available to meet with concerned residents, putting these facts to them, and pointing out how it can be solved. We have told some of our voters in the townships that problems such as the lack of service delivery, cannot be solved by toi-toi, or by burning tyres, but only by voting the inefficient ANC out of government in this city, and putiing in a party which can do what is necessary.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
ANC's PLANS BORDER ON DESPERATE MEDDLING
The ANC cannot improve the lives of people by tinkering with the country’s provincial structure, writes DA councillor FRANCOIS BEKKER by e-mail.
(Lead letter in the Citizen)
Where the Democratic Alliance is in power good governance and real service delivery prevails. Frustrated by this, the ANC now wants to review the role of the provinces.
The ANC’s intention to meddle with the provinces is telling of the ruling party’s misguided idea about democracy.
The ANC feels, understandably, threatened by the DA. Instead of showing commitment to a multi-party democracy, it now wants to change the rules of the game to neutralise the rise of the opposition.
The real losers of the government’s destructive plans to change the roles of the provinces will be the people, who merely want service delivery, effective and accountable governance to be a reality, concepts obviously foreign to the ANC.
Let’s face it; the ANC is a power- hungry political movement that does not care about the needs of the people.
If the ANC cared about the voters it would try outsmart the DA with better policies, fit-for-purpose appointments and effective government that will provide the results our people are so desperately waiting for. But no, driven by an agenda to benefit a select few, self-interest will always be put above the needs and aspirations of the country.
(Lead letter in the Citizen)
Where the Democratic Alliance is in power good governance and real service delivery prevails. Frustrated by this, the ANC now wants to review the role of the provinces.
The ANC’s intention to meddle with the provinces is telling of the ruling party’s misguided idea about democracy.
The ANC feels, understandably, threatened by the DA. Instead of showing commitment to a multi-party democracy, it now wants to change the rules of the game to neutralise the rise of the opposition.
The real losers of the government’s destructive plans to change the roles of the provinces will be the people, who merely want service delivery, effective and accountable governance to be a reality, concepts obviously foreign to the ANC.
Let’s face it; the ANC is a power- hungry political movement that does not care about the needs of the people.
If the ANC cared about the voters it would try outsmart the DA with better policies, fit-for-purpose appointments and effective government that will provide the results our people are so desperately waiting for. But no, driven by an agenda to benefit a select few, self-interest will always be put above the needs and aspirations of the country.
Monday, October 18, 2010
PROTECT RESIDENTS AGAINST LABOUR DISPUTES
By Cllr Vickey Bosch
According to the Tshwane Executive Mayor contingency plans will only be put in place once the unions issue a notice regarding strike actions. This answer was given to a DA question regarding the recent crippling public sector strike.
In was also pointed out by the mayor that resources could only be arranged when a definite date on which the strike commences was known because they entailed additional costs to the municipality.
“In plain language,” Cllr Bosch commented this week, “Only once a strike was announced, would the Council take any action to alleviate the lack of service delivery – and this only after negotiating resources from other sectors. “
“Let’s hope we get plenty of warning of future strike action!” Cllr Bosch added.
The DA insists that only better defined contingency plans will protect the residents from labour disputes to assuring uninterrupted service delivery.
According to the Tshwane Executive Mayor contingency plans will only be put in place once the unions issue a notice regarding strike actions. This answer was given to a DA question regarding the recent crippling public sector strike.
In was also pointed out by the mayor that resources could only be arranged when a definite date on which the strike commences was known because they entailed additional costs to the municipality.
“In plain language,” Cllr Bosch commented this week, “Only once a strike was announced, would the Council take any action to alleviate the lack of service delivery – and this only after negotiating resources from other sectors. “
“Let’s hope we get plenty of warning of future strike action!” Cllr Bosch added.
The DA insists that only better defined contingency plans will protect the residents from labour disputes to assuring uninterrupted service delivery.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
LEGAL GATED COMMUNITIES A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT
By Cllr Christa Spoelstra
The misleading ANC Motion submitted at the last Council meeting regarding the restriction of access to public places was challenged by the DA today. The motion is nothing less than an amateur attempt to score cheap party political points.
The DA is completely against illegal actions by the public but is supportive of initiatives that comply with the law. Legal gated communities are a response to the high crime rate and the lack of proper safety and security measures. Its aim is to protect lives and property, regardless of race or creed.
One of the ground rules of an application is that no one should be denied access to any of these restricted areas. Freedom of movement is thus not affected. It is a myth that only rich people apply for gated arrangements. Residents across the race spectrum benefit from restricted areas and support the applications.
Due to the fact that the Municipality took so long to lift the moratorium on applications for gated communities following a High court case in 2009 and the high crime rate in the City, some of the communities took the illegal route to close the streets in certain areas. The City Planning Committee asked for a report on the 20th January 2010 of the current situation regarding the restriction of access within the City of Tshwane as a whole to establish legality of restriction of access to public places throughout the City. In the future action will be taken against Illegal Gated Communities.
Our Constitution states that it is our right as South African citizens to protect ourselves in our country and our homes. The SAP is also in support of these closures because it strengthens their hands in the combat against crime.
The misleading ANC Motion submitted at the last Council meeting regarding the restriction of access to public places was challenged by the DA today. The motion is nothing less than an amateur attempt to score cheap party political points.
The DA is completely against illegal actions by the public but is supportive of initiatives that comply with the law. Legal gated communities are a response to the high crime rate and the lack of proper safety and security measures. Its aim is to protect lives and property, regardless of race or creed.
One of the ground rules of an application is that no one should be denied access to any of these restricted areas. Freedom of movement is thus not affected. It is a myth that only rich people apply for gated arrangements. Residents across the race spectrum benefit from restricted areas and support the applications.
Due to the fact that the Municipality took so long to lift the moratorium on applications for gated communities following a High court case in 2009 and the high crime rate in the City, some of the communities took the illegal route to close the streets in certain areas. The City Planning Committee asked for a report on the 20th January 2010 of the current situation regarding the restriction of access within the City of Tshwane as a whole to establish legality of restriction of access to public places throughout the City. In the future action will be taken against Illegal Gated Communities.
Our Constitution states that it is our right as South African citizens to protect ourselves in our country and our homes. The SAP is also in support of these closures because it strengthens their hands in the combat against crime.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
WONDERBOOM AIRPORT WITHOUT FUEL
By Cllr Francois Bekker
The DA is very concerned about disturbing reports that the Wonderboom airport is operating without fuel since last weekend.
The DA tried to obtain information from senior officials at the Tshwane Transport department and even the political office-bearers concerned to get clarity regarding the situation. The closest explanation the DA was able to get from a junior official was” That there is a situation which is being addressed and that more information will be made available later.” The senior officials and political office bearers are of course unreachable.
“An airport without petrol can have catastrophic consequences.” said Councillor Francois Bekker. “Not only will this have far reaching implications for civil aviation that no doubt plays an important role in economic activity, it can also impact negatively on safety and security because the SAPS air services also make use of the Wonderboom airport.” Bekker added.
As always, the Tshwane Metro is mum when there is a crisis or a service failure, and one can only speculate about the causes of the petrol shortage and the contingency plans in place to address the situation. This state of denial is typical of the ANC led Council’s lack of commitment to transparency and accountability.
The DA insists on an immediate explanation about the reasons for the petrol crisis at the airport, when and how it will be addressed and what plans are to be put in place to avoid a repeat of the crisis.
The DA is very concerned about disturbing reports that the Wonderboom airport is operating without fuel since last weekend.
The DA tried to obtain information from senior officials at the Tshwane Transport department and even the political office-bearers concerned to get clarity regarding the situation. The closest explanation the DA was able to get from a junior official was” That there is a situation which is being addressed and that more information will be made available later.” The senior officials and political office bearers are of course unreachable.
“An airport without petrol can have catastrophic consequences.” said Councillor Francois Bekker. “Not only will this have far reaching implications for civil aviation that no doubt plays an important role in economic activity, it can also impact negatively on safety and security because the SAPS air services also make use of the Wonderboom airport.” Bekker added.
As always, the Tshwane Metro is mum when there is a crisis or a service failure, and one can only speculate about the causes of the petrol shortage and the contingency plans in place to address the situation. This state of denial is typical of the ANC led Council’s lack of commitment to transparency and accountability.
The DA insists on an immediate explanation about the reasons for the petrol crisis at the airport, when and how it will be addressed and what plans are to be put in place to avoid a repeat of the crisis.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
METROPOLISIE SE AANSTELLINGS EN OPLEIDING MOET DRINGEND HERSIEN WORD
Die DEMOKRATIESE ALLIANSIE ondersteun die kommentare van die Instituut van Sekerheidstudie (ISS) dat die persepsie van metropolisielede verander moet word. Die DA verwelkom ook die feit dat die Onafhanklike Klagtedirektoraat (OKD) ondersoek gaan instel na die gedrag van Metropolisielede.
Die DA het juis in Mei-maand ’n dringende mosie by die Raad ingedien na aanleiding van informasie wat ons bekom het wat blyk dat ten minste 22% van die totale Metropolisie lede van Tshwane of reeds skuldig bevind is; of verhoorafwagtend is of wag vir dissiplinere verhore. Dit is ’n duidelike bewys van die totale verval van ons stad se wetstoepassing.
Om hierdie ernstige probleem te adresseer asook verdere verval te stop, moet jy egter by die begin begin, met ander woorde, by aanstelllings. Dit is duidelik dat die standaard prosedures wat by aanstellings gebruik word vir Metropolisielede veel te wense oorlaat. Met aanstellings van Metropolisielede word kandidate blootgestel aan onderhoude, fisiese toetse asook psigometriese toetse. Psigometriese toetse is versonderstel om te bepaal of ’n persoon ’n posisie kan of wil misbruik. Duidelik is hierdie toetste nie streng genoeg om potensiele kriminele gedrag uit te sluit nie.
Nadat ’n persoon aangestel is vind opleiding plaas wat etiese gedrag insluit. Weereens is dit duidelik dat hierdie proses nie goed genoeg nie en laat dit geen ander opsie as om die hele proses te heruvalueer en dus moet dit deeglik ondersoek word.
As dit bewys kan word dat die persone wat veronderstel is om ons te beskerm, dit nie kan doen nie as gevolg van onbevoegdheid en in sommige gevalle, kriminele gedrag, is dit ’n geval van regsveranwoordelikheid. Dit beteken dat die Stadsraad verantwoordelik gehou word in ’n hof. Ons as inwoners kan nie bekostig om te sit met Metropolisielede wat ons nie kan vertrou nie. Enige amptenaar skuldig aan kriminele gedrag moes in die eerste plek nie aangestel word nie. Indien die situasie ontstaan het terwyl hy ’n amptenaar was, moet die Raad hom onmiddellik afdank.
Die Stadsraad doen niemand ’n guns deur hierdie groeiende situasie nie in ’n ernstige lig te beskou of om slegs ’n interne ondersoek te loods nie, inteendeel, deur die probleem nie korrek aan te spreek nie sal op die ou end van die dag beteken dat ons die hele departement moet sluit. Wetsoortreders kan nie wetstoepassers ook wees nie, dit is so eenvoudig soos dit!
Die DA is dus oortuig die enigste werkbare oplossing sal wees om die hele proses van evaluasie en opleiding van amptenare strenger te maak. Vir hierdie rede het ons dus ’n dringende mosie in die Mei Raadsvergadering ingedien waarin ons die volgende gevra het:
• Die evaluasieproses van potensiele Metropolisie amptenare ondersoek en herevalueer word;
• Die opleidingsproses van die Metropolisie amptenare ondersoek en herevalueer word;
• Dat konstante evaluasie en opleiding elke ses maande geskied.
Ongelukkig het die Speaker van die Raad besluit dat dit volgens hom “onprakties” is en is die mosie dus nie toegelaat nie. Die DA aanvaar egter nie die traak-my-nie-agtige houding van die ANC-beheerde Raad nie en sal aanhou baklei vir die proses om te verander.
Die DA het juis in Mei-maand ’n dringende mosie by die Raad ingedien na aanleiding van informasie wat ons bekom het wat blyk dat ten minste 22% van die totale Metropolisie lede van Tshwane of reeds skuldig bevind is; of verhoorafwagtend is of wag vir dissiplinere verhore. Dit is ’n duidelike bewys van die totale verval van ons stad se wetstoepassing.
Om hierdie ernstige probleem te adresseer asook verdere verval te stop, moet jy egter by die begin begin, met ander woorde, by aanstelllings. Dit is duidelik dat die standaard prosedures wat by aanstellings gebruik word vir Metropolisielede veel te wense oorlaat. Met aanstellings van Metropolisielede word kandidate blootgestel aan onderhoude, fisiese toetse asook psigometriese toetse. Psigometriese toetse is versonderstel om te bepaal of ’n persoon ’n posisie kan of wil misbruik. Duidelik is hierdie toetste nie streng genoeg om potensiele kriminele gedrag uit te sluit nie.
Nadat ’n persoon aangestel is vind opleiding plaas wat etiese gedrag insluit. Weereens is dit duidelik dat hierdie proses nie goed genoeg nie en laat dit geen ander opsie as om die hele proses te heruvalueer en dus moet dit deeglik ondersoek word.
As dit bewys kan word dat die persone wat veronderstel is om ons te beskerm, dit nie kan doen nie as gevolg van onbevoegdheid en in sommige gevalle, kriminele gedrag, is dit ’n geval van regsveranwoordelikheid. Dit beteken dat die Stadsraad verantwoordelik gehou word in ’n hof. Ons as inwoners kan nie bekostig om te sit met Metropolisielede wat ons nie kan vertrou nie. Enige amptenaar skuldig aan kriminele gedrag moes in die eerste plek nie aangestel word nie. Indien die situasie ontstaan het terwyl hy ’n amptenaar was, moet die Raad hom onmiddellik afdank.
Die Stadsraad doen niemand ’n guns deur hierdie groeiende situasie nie in ’n ernstige lig te beskou of om slegs ’n interne ondersoek te loods nie, inteendeel, deur die probleem nie korrek aan te spreek nie sal op die ou end van die dag beteken dat ons die hele departement moet sluit. Wetsoortreders kan nie wetstoepassers ook wees nie, dit is so eenvoudig soos dit!
Die DA is dus oortuig die enigste werkbare oplossing sal wees om die hele proses van evaluasie en opleiding van amptenare strenger te maak. Vir hierdie rede het ons dus ’n dringende mosie in die Mei Raadsvergadering ingedien waarin ons die volgende gevra het:
• Die evaluasieproses van potensiele Metropolisie amptenare ondersoek en herevalueer word;
• Die opleidingsproses van die Metropolisie amptenare ondersoek en herevalueer word;
• Dat konstante evaluasie en opleiding elke ses maande geskied.
Ongelukkig het die Speaker van die Raad besluit dat dit volgens hom “onprakties” is en is die mosie dus nie toegelaat nie. Die DA aanvaar egter nie die traak-my-nie-agtige houding van die ANC-beheerde Raad nie en sal aanhou baklei vir die proses om te verander.
Monday, September 6, 2010
IS TSHWANE METRO POLICE ABOVE THE LAW?
By Cllr. Karen Meyer
The comments by Director Ndumiso Jaca, Head of Proactive Policing at the Tshwane Metro Council, at yesterday’s memorial service for Sergeant NJ Mohale, are totally irresponsible and unconstitutional.
Director Jaca’s remarks include: “Haunt Roux until he tells the truth ; man roadblocks and make sure that Bees doesn’t rest”.
Director Jaca is an official who is supposed to render and ensure an impartial service to all residents of Tshwane and his remarks contradict this ethos .These remarks are totally out of place and definitely outside his mandate. It is, to say the least, counter-productive to the legal process and not in the spirit of an independent judicial investigation. Thus, Director Jaca has appointed himself policeman, judge and ‘executioner’ which in the opinion of the DA, is totally unacceptable behaviour.
The DA is of the opinion that the investigation and the law must run its course and that it is totally unnecessary to politicise the matter, as has been done by Director Jaca. The DA demands an immediate explanation and apology from Director Jaca.
The comments by Director Ndumiso Jaca, Head of Proactive Policing at the Tshwane Metro Council, at yesterday’s memorial service for Sergeant NJ Mohale, are totally irresponsible and unconstitutional.
Director Jaca’s remarks include: “Haunt Roux until he tells the truth ; man roadblocks and make sure that Bees doesn’t rest”.
Director Jaca is an official who is supposed to render and ensure an impartial service to all residents of Tshwane and his remarks contradict this ethos .These remarks are totally out of place and definitely outside his mandate. It is, to say the least, counter-productive to the legal process and not in the spirit of an independent judicial investigation. Thus, Director Jaca has appointed himself policeman, judge and ‘executioner’ which in the opinion of the DA, is totally unacceptable behaviour.
The DA is of the opinion that the investigation and the law must run its course and that it is totally unnecessary to politicise the matter, as has been done by Director Jaca. The DA demands an immediate explanation and apology from Director Jaca.
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