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.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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?
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.
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.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, November 15, 2010
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.
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.
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