BOLD STAND AGAINST CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ASKED

By Cllr Francois Bekker

The eight suspects who are implicated in a child pornography case that shocked South Africa in the past few days appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate court yesterday.

The DA gathered outside the court to show its support to the 16 days of activism against women and child abuse. The DA called on the community to take a bold stand against child abuse.

CRIME IN PRETORIA EAST

By Cllr Karen Meyer

In a newspaper article this morning, a robber allegedly told a home-owner in Faerie Glen (in the east of Pretoria) that the area was dangerous and questioned why the family had moved there. As the DA ward councillor in the area, I can assure residents that Faerie Glen is no more dangerous than other areas in Pretoria East and in general, the crime rate in this area compares favourably to some other areas in Pretoria (as was set out in the statistics released by the SAPS earlier this year).

Having said this, crime in general is not acceptable and I have discussed the situation with the Tshwane Metro Police, as well as with the South African Police (SAP) at both Garsfontein and Boschkop. They have assured me that more visible patrols will be instituted in Faerie Glen (and other areas in their jurisdiction) and they will be supported by organizations such as neighbourhood watch, sector policing personnel, Radio Buddies and private security companies.

We are all aware that crime tends to increase at this time of the year as people are spending more money, going on holiday (thereby leaving their houses unattended) and generally, being in a more relaxed mode. The police have pointed out that it is for these reasons that the public must be more vigilant. By all means enjoy yourselves but do not relax your guard completely (for example, by leaving your doors open whilst entertaining outside).

Should residents require crime prevention tips, the SAP and/or Metro Police will be more than willing to assist in this regard ( this is also regularly done by way of the media and is on-going at this time of the year).

SETTLEMENT FOR KEKANA NOT IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE

By Cllr Brandon Topham

The Democratic Alliance in Tshwane is pleased that the outstanding Ntsebeza report was released to council. We do not support the decision taken to make a settlement offer to Kekana of R2,340,512. We do not agree with the ANC's decision to settle rather than complete the investigation which commenced in February 2010. The inspection to date has incurred R757 553 in costs but has no conclusive conclusions due to reported interference and lack of co-operation form officials per instruction of the previous Mayor Ramokgopa. Whilst we agree that spending money to complete an inspection which in part will be covered by the Special Investigations Unit does not make sense, we believe that in the interest of justice and proper public administration, Kekana and the public deserve to know the truth about the allegations prior to him being paid a golden hand shake of convenience which will allow the city to wash its hands of the dirty laundry in the eye public for so long. Why should our money be waisted just because our previous Mayor did not allow evidence to be presented to the investigators? The money spent to date is wasteful and fruitless expenditure due to her actions and should be recovered from her. Allowing someone to escape justice purely because of inconclusive evidence due to interference is bad for our city and creates an unhealthy position. The city must bite the bullet and complete the inspection without interference and then a decision made. The current payment of convenience is not acceptable in a modern democratic and transparent society. Kekana must face the charges and be cleared or found guilty.

TSHWANE RESIDENTS DESERVE BETTER VALUE FOR THEIR MONEY

By Alderman Gert Pretorius

Surely hard earned funds generated by Tshwane residents should be used for their benefit before being generated elsewhere. After all, charity begins at home!

In particular, I refer to the sum of R95m which is going to be used to provide a main water pipeline from Rand Water to Madibeng – a town situated in the North West province. Also, a further R5m for a consultant to do the planning.

I do not believe that Tshwane Municipality is responsible for Rand Water or Madibeng. Tshwane ratepayer’s money can be better spent serving our own needs. In effect, we must lend money to finance other bodies. Is the Tshwane Metro now taking over the functions of the National Government and this with an outstanding overdraft of its own? Do we realize what we can do with R100m (2000 houses @ R50,000 each ; 500 vehicles @ R200,000 each or pro-vide jobs for 1000 people for a year @ more than R8000 per person per month).

The subsidising of Madibeng goes back a long way. In a report tabled at the portfolio committee meeting on 14 September 2010, it was reported that: “Since July 2006 Sandspruit Water has experienced difficulty in retrieving payment from Madibeng....the situation has escalated to a level where Sandspruit Water cannot afford to pay service providers any more....the residents of Tshwane are affected/influenced”. Madibeng currently owes Tshwane an amount of R15.18m for bulk water and R63.65 for operations. This brings the total that Madibeng owes Tshwane to R78.83m. Of interest here, is the fact that for the 2009/2010 budget, Sandspruit Water budgeted for a deficit of R68.75m on retail water, including bad debt or shall I say, Madibeng’s R78m!

The Tshwane Metro Council needs to manage our taxpayer’s money in a responsible way and with great care. We are not the Big Brother that can stand in for other municipalities like Madibeng in North West and service providers like Rand Water. Where is the National Government of the day – why can’t it be responsible to alleviate or solve such problems?

ANOTHER METRO POLICE BLUNDER

By Cllr Karen Meyer

The fact that the Metro Police Department paid R170 million for an ineffective radio system must truly be the last cherry on the proverbial cake! The Metro Police Department has had nothing less than disturbing negative allegations against them specifically in the last few months.

The latest frightening situation involving the said communication system however, not only involves the Department, but can have a disastrous affect on the city’s residents as well as the officers on the street that should be able to use this form of communication for the safety of all. How can the safety of its own members and that of the residents be compromised in such a blatant way without repercussions? The fact that so much money was paid for the said system raises more questions than answers. It is clear that people in top-management are involved in the constant irregularities concerning tenders and contracts of the Safety Department. Therefore nothing less than a proper investigation would suffice and officials found guilty should be fired immediately!

Furthermore, the fact that officers had to beg for assistance to Senior Management to sort this system out, to no avail, says a lot about the Senior Management. Passing the buck seems to be the order of the day and absolutely no-one takes responsibility. The ANC must once and for all understand that this scenario is exactly what happens when you appoint people for the sake of their political background and ignore the necessary credentials!

The DA have asked at the March 2010 Council meeting in an urgent motion that the evaluation process of Metro Police Officers be investigated and re-evaluated as well as the training process. This Department needs to clean up its act and the only way to do so is by cleaning it out from top to bottom! Ignoring this will inevitably result in this Department’s total shut-down.

The DA will again pose an urgent motion at the Council meeting on Thursday to ensure a proper investigation and that the findings thereof serve before Council.

FUEL CRISIS AT WONDERBOOM AIRPORT

By Cllr Francois Bekker

The second fuel crisis within a month threatened to paralyze aviation activity at the Wonderboom airport this week. The first fuel shortage saga occurred exactly a month ago from what appears to be the result of short sighted management decisions affecting fuel supplies to the airport negatively.
The DA described the situation at the airport as shocking and called on the Tshwane Metro to come clean on the reasons for the fuel shortage.
“A blame game between the Council and the fuel supplier will not solve the problem that is clearly more serious than was initially thought.” said Councillor Francois Bekker. “What is to be avoided is to continue addressing the symptoms and ignoring the reasons that led to this situation which is fast becoming an aviation disaster and a public relations disaster for the city.” Bekker added.
The DA further expressed its disappointment with the ANC led Council in that the problems at the Wonderboom Airport was not even tabled for discussion at the last Transport and Roads portfolio meeting. “A question that needs to be answered is why the contract with the previous fuel supplier was cancelled in the first place.” Bekker said
The DA is pressing for a clear indication about the plans to avoid a repeat of the crisis.

SERVICE DELIVERY (OR LACK OF IT) IN THE TSHWANE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

BUSDIENS SE WIELE VAL AF

ARTIKEL IN TSHWANE BEELD

Sylvia van Zyl

Die Tshwane-busdiens se wiele het in so mate afgeval dat hy heeltemal in duie kan stort as daar nie dringend ingegryp word nie.

Dit is die mening van mnr. Justus de Goede, DA-raadslid en ’n lid van Tshwane se portefeuljekomitee vir vervoer.

“Dié busdiens het verval in die hande van ’n paar amptenare.

“Nou trek almal net skouers op en sê dis nie hul probleem nie.”

Volgens De Goede was daar sedert die begin van die jaar reeds drie amptelike stakings by dié busdiens.

“Dit is elke keer gestremdes, bejaardes en kinders wat geraak word. Dit is absoluut onaanvaarbaar.

“Hoe kon die Tshwane-metroraad sonder enige kennisgewing nuwe tariewe en ’n nuwe struktuur vir buskaartjies instel?”

Volgens hom is daar mense wat jaarkaartjies gekoop het vir dié busdiens, maar sedert 1 Julie is dié kaartjies skielik nie meer geldig nie.

“Hierdie mense kan dit eenvoudig net nie bekostig nie. Ek het al op 18 Julie vir dr. Gwen Ramo- kgopa (uitvoerende burgemeester) ’n brief geskryf en gevra of ons asseblief kan vergader om al die probleme uit te sorteer, maar daar het niks van gekom nie.

“Volgens die metroraad is die nuwe bustariewe in sy begroting en hy het dit lank terug al aan die publiek oorgedra, maar hy kan geen bewyse hiervan lewer nie.”

De Goede het ook ’n tweede brief aan die burgemeester gestuur, maar het weer geen terugvoering gekry nie.

“Die situasie het nou breekpunt bereik. Die busdiens is in gedrang en ek is bevrees as hy eers stop, is daar nie weer geld om hom aan die gang te kry nie.”

Volgens De Goede beplan die DA om ’n mosie ter tafel te lê op die volgende raadsvergadering, wat volgende Donderdag gehou word.

“Ons wil vra dat al die senior amptenare en ander rolspelers om ’n tafel sit sodat ons ’n oplossing vir dié probleem kan kry.

As dit nie werk nie, het ons geen ander opsie as om die openbare beskermer te nader nie.”

Volgens mnr. Francois Bekker, DA-raadslid, is die nuwe kaartjiestelsel nie net baie duur nie, maar ook rigied.

“Mense wat beter tariewe nodig het, betaal nou duurder. Ek is baie teleurgesteld in die burgemeesterskomiteelid vir vervoer se onbetrokkenheid by dié saak.

“Ons weet daar moet verhogings kom, maar daar was nog nooit ’n geleentheid om op ’n portefeuljekomiteevergadering oor die saak te praat nie.”

Daar word verneem dat net ses van die raad se portefeuljekomitees die afgelope maand vergader het.

Die res is sonder waarskuwing gekanselleer.

“Dit is niks anders as dwarsboming van ons demokrasie nie. Ons sit met ’n hardvogtige raad wat nie meer vir sy mense omgee nie,” sê Bekker.

Die Tshwane-metroraad kon teen druktyd nie kommentaar lewer nie.

TSHWANE RAAD SE WIELE BESIG OM AF TE VAL

Uitgereik deur Rdl. Janho Engelbrecht

Die Tshwane Raad se administrasie is besig om tot stilstand te kom. Van die tien Artikel 80 Portefeulje komitees het slegs ses hierdie maand vergadering gehou. Twee hiervan het slegs verslae vir kennisname bespreek, so geen besluite is geneem nie. Dit volg op verlede maand se Raadsvergadering wat "uitgestel” is om gelyktydig met hierdie maand se vergadering plaas te vind. (Soos die Speaker se kantoor dit gestel het).

Die toedrag van sake is skokkend! Die munisipaliteit verkeer onder geweldige druk in terme van gebrekkige dienslewering, nou word vergaderings links en regs gekanseleer of as vergaderings wel plaasvind, handel dit oor ou verlae wat slegs vir kennisname dien. Indien daar nie besluite op Portefeulje vergaderings geneem word nie kan verslae nie na die Raad gaan vir goedkeuring nie. So beskou is dinge besig om tot stilstand te kom.

Dit is asof die raad rigtingloos voort ploeter, daar is 'n gebrek aan leierskap. Die ANC binnegevegte is besig om die dag-tot-dag bestuur van die Munisipliteit tot so 'n mate te benadeel dat dit lyk asof amptenare nie meer weet wat om te doen of vir wie om te luister nie. 'n Nuwe tendens van die ANC is ook om deesdae omstrede items nie na Portefeulje Komitees te verwys nie, maar dit direk na die Burgemeesterskomitee te stuur vir goedkeuring. Die gevolg hiervan is dat Raadslede nie die verlae onder oë kan neem nie, wat natuurlik die oorsig rol wat hulle moet vervul beperk. Dit is tekenend van 'n organisasie wat in krisis verkeer. Items wat direk deur die Burgemeesterskomitee gaan, oorskadu ander items veelvoudig.

Hierdie Raad bevind homself in 'n benarde posisie en daar blyk nie lig in die tonnel te wees nie. Die DA sal hierdie kwessie met die LUK vir Plaaslike Regering in die Gauteng Wetgewer opneem.

DA PROTEST AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME

By Cllr. Dana Wannenburg

The Court case of the three (3) suspects in the Mashau family murder case was held in the Pretoria North Magistrates court today(12 August 2010).
The Community gathered outside the court to protest against the high levels of crime, violent murders and rapes in South Africa and also to support the victims of crime.
The DA handed a Protest Memorandum against crime to the SAPS and the Magistrates Court to show how the residents feel about crime.
It was suggested that the City establish a new unit that looks into violent crimes and rape as well as the moral decay in our society.
(The court case was postponed to 19 August 2010 when the accused will apply for bail)

DA TOASTMASTERS CLUB

By Cllr.Francois Bekker

The DA in Pretoria recently started its own Toastmasters club. The objective of the club is to develop and hone the public speaking skills of public representatives and other DA members. The first meeting of the ‘Open Society’ Toastmasters club was held on Tuesday 10 August 2010.
The club will meet every second Tuesday of the month at 19:00 and any person with DA membership is welcome to join this club.

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)