In total 9 candidates from Gauteng North were elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the National Assembly; four more than in 2004!
Three of these, Fred Nel, Natasha Michael and Stevens Mokgalapa are from the DA Tshwane Pretoria Caucus while Les Labuschagne, Rika Kruger and Manie van Dyk are re-elected. Les (former National Assembly MP) and Rika to the Gauteng Legislature and Manie to the National Assembly.
New MP's include Sej Motau, Junita Kloppers-Lourens and Kenneth Mubu.
We wish our colleagues all the best - now for the 2011 Local Government Elections!!!

Why You Should Vote DA

From SA Today 17 April 2009

Go out and vote on Wednesday 22 April!

Every single registered voter who supports the DA must go out and vote in the election on Wednesday. Your vote is critical: it could be the vote that tips the scales. The mathematics are simple: the more DA voters turn out relative to ANC voters, the better our chances are of stopping Jacob Zuma from getting the two-thirds majority he needs to change the Constitution.

Voter turnout makes a huge difference to the election result in our proportional representation electoral system. One political analyst uses the analogy of a birthday party to explain the impact of turnout. On your birthday, you buy a cake and have a party for ten people. If everyone comes, each gets one tenth of the cake. If only five attend, each gets one fifth of the cake. This means that each of the five friends who come to the party gets a slice of cake double the size of what they would have got, because the other five stayed away. In the same way, all voters who vote in an election make up the 100% representational tally which is then divided up proportionately among parties. If DA voters stay away in higher numbers than ANC supporters, the effect is to increase the proportional power of the ANC vote. And vice-versa.

In previous elections, differential turn-out has benefited the ANC. This means that more ANC voters than opposition voters turned out to vote. And that proportionately boosted their tally.

Turnout will be decisive on Wednesday. Our own internal research shows that if every DA supporter goes to vote, and if more DA voters turn out relative to ANC voters, we will keep the ANC below a two-thirds majority nationally and we could even drive the ANC below 60%. In provinces like Gauteng and the Northern Cape, where the ANC's grip on power is weakest, if every DA voter turns out, we could win enough votes to be able to form coalition governments. In the Western Cape, if every DA voter turns out, we could win the province outright.

The ANC is power-hungry. It wants even more than a two-thirds majority. On Wednesday, in one of his stock fascist tirades, the imbecilic President of the ANC Youth League, Julius Malema, told students at the University of Cape Town to return the ANC to power with "a three-thirds majority". He was merely parroting ANC Secretary-General, Gwede Mantashe, who earlier in the election campaign said, "We don't want a two-thirds majority; we want a three-thirds majority in any province including the Western Cape". Malema believes Zuma is "unstoppable". He referred to him as a "biological tsunami". That is untrue. If every DA supporter goes to the polls on 22 April, we can prevent the "biological tsunami" from wreaking devastation on South Africa.

Make no mistake: if the ANC gets a two-thirds majority with Zuma as President, the consequences will be serious. Mr Zuma has no understanding of constitutionalism, which is the bedrock of our democracy. He has often said that the ANC is more important than the Constitution, that opposition parties have no automatic right to exist, and that the powers of the Constitutional Court should be reviewed because judges are "not God". Zuma represents the kind of leaders that take governments down the path of cronyism, corruption and criminalisation, towards the failed state. The evidence is already there.

So far, the ruling clique in the ANC has disbanded the Scorpions; fired the former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Vusi Pikoli; engineered the premature release from prison of Zuma's benefactor, Schabir Shaik; and pressured the acting NDPP, Mokotedi Mpshe, to drop the charges against Zuma. All these steps were taken to shield Zuma and his cronies.

This makes it clear that Zuma will stop at nothing to undermine the Constitution and the rule of law to enrich himself and his cabal, and protect them from prosecution.

Yesterday, the Cabinet announced that it had approved the draft Constitution 17th Amendment Bill, which empowers national government to usurp powers from local government. The Bill will now go to Parliament, and if the ANC gets a two-thirds majority on 22 April, it will force the Bill through Parliament.
If it is enacted, the law will be used by the ANC to severely limit the mandate of an elected local government, especially where the ANC does not govern and where local authorities legitimately refuse to implement ANC policies. The Cabinet approval of the Bill came two days after ANC spokespersons categorically denied the existence of such a Bill.

A two-thirds majority will give the ANC the power to act on other threats.
The ANC has already threatened to revoke property rights, undermine press freedom and make the courts an extension of the ANC - just as constitutional institutions such as the Public Protector and the National Prosecuting Authority have been turned into extensions of the ANC through cadre deployment.

Nationally, the DA is the only party that can be trusted to stop Zuma's clique from abusing its power to change the Constitution. But we are not only contesting this election nationally. We are contesting it in all nine provinces, too. There is an excellent chance that we will win the Western Cape, and also a possibility that we may be able to form coalition governments in one or two other provinces.

We must win power at provincial level, because this will enable us to demonstrate the difference that our alternative vision, principles and policies make in practice, for everyone -just as we have demonstrated where we have won at local government level. This is the most effective role we can play, not only where we govern, but for our country as a whole, as we undertake the process of national political realignment.

Winning power in the Western Cape, for example, will allow us to show what co-operative governance between local authorities and a province can achieve. Both spheres are closely inter-linked in many ways and we can attain exceptional outcomes if we all pull together, rather than in opposite directions.

Winning power provincially also means that we can take the next step in our political journey. That journey started in 2006 when the DA won the City of Cape Town and other local authorities in the Western Cape. Our journey will continue after 22 April, as we prepare to contest the 2011 local government elections, in which we will win cities and towns across South Africa. At the end of the final leg of our journey, we will form the core of national government in 2014.

Without your vote on Wednesday, we cannot continue this journey. We will not make the connection we need to reach our final destination. And if the ANC gets a two-thirds majority, it will throw every obstacle it can onto the track to derail us.

The most important election in Zimbabwe was not last year when the MDC won more votes than Mugabe's Zanu-PF, despite the election being blatantly rigged. It was in 2000, when the MDC narrowly lost to Zanu-PF by 1% of the vote. If every MDC supporter had gone out to vote in that election, Zimbabwe's catastrophic slide may have been halted. Today Zimbabwe might have been the prosperous nation it once was, instead of the failed state it has become.

That is the difference your vote makes. It is the difference between success and failure. This election will be a defining moment in South Africa's history. In fact, it is the most important election since 1994, because the choice we make will determine whether our country becomes a successful democracy, which is tantalisingly within our reach, or continues the downward spiral towards a failed state.

In a democracy, voters get the government they deserve. The future of South Africa lies in the hands of every individual voter this Wednesday. One vote can win it - or lose it. In ten years time it will be obvious to everyone that voting for the DA in this election was the right thing to do. By then it will be too late. So do it now.

COUNCIL EMBARKS ON ANOTHER EXPENSIVE FUNCTION IN WAKE OF CASH FLOW PROBLEMS

Issued by Fred Nel, DA Tshwane spokesperson on Public Accounts

The DA has learnt reliably that Council this week approved expenditure to host a function for 600 people on 4 April 2009, despite no invitations being issued yet. Even worse is the fact that the Council is hosting this function when its top officials are scratching to collect enough funds to pay salaries at the end of the month.
Fred Nel, the DA’s spokesperson on Public Accounts in the Tshwane Metro commented said: “This smacks of ANC electioneering at the Council’s expense. How can you organise a function for 600 people in just over a week and you have not yet sent out invitations? The council only decided on service providers for this event this past week. We are very concerned about the way this event is being put together and will ask for an investigation into the procurement of service providers for this event as well as whether this is another wasteful expenditure as it is unlikely that many people will turn up for this event.”
The DA is very concerned about the Council’s cash flow situation and question why so much money is being spent on such a large function when times are so tough. The DA calls on the mayor to put an end to lavish parties that places increasing pressure on the council’s cash flow position.

DA REQUESTS PROBE INTO MISUSE OF COUNCIL RESOURCES FOR MAYOR’S DAUGHTER

Issued by Fred Nel, DA Tshwane Spokesperson on Public Accounts

It is with shock that the DA learnt that Tshwane Council VIP vehicles and body guards were used to escort the Mayor’s daughter to the Hatfield Community Court to appear on charges of alleged drug possession and assault on Tuesday 24 March 2009.
“The Mayor’s misuse of council resources for a private matter is shocking and can be viewed as a wasteful expenditure under the Municipal Finance Management Act. Consequently we will request the Council to investigate the misuse of Council resources (VIP vehicles and bodyguards) by the Mayor and her family” said Fred Nel the DA’s spokesperson on Public Accounts in the Tshwane Metro.
The DA also mentioned that the Mayor’s daughter did not qualify for such special treatment by the Council and should have travelled to the court on her own steam. Although the mayor attended to support her daughter it was a private matter and not part of her official duties, and therefore she did not qualify for the use of official Council resources.

The ANC has failed the youth

Speech delivered by Helen Zille, Leader of the Democratic Alliance5 March 2009 at UCT

In the ANC's closed, crony society, people get preferential treatment if they have friends in high places. That explains why Jacob Zuma's former financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, can be fast-tracked for release on medical parole -- without official confirmation that he is terminally ill -- while hundreds of other terminally ill prisoners die waiting for their parole applications to be processed. Shaik's discharge is a case of "parole for pals". That is how the closed, crony society operates. It benefits members of a closed network whose interests, like Zuma and Shaik's, are mutually reinforcing. It leads to corruption and power abuse. Shaik’s parole is just the first step. In a recent interview, Zuma hinted strongly that he would pardon Shaik should he become President. He said: “Why should I discriminate against him [Shaik], because he happens to be my comrade and friend? How can I punish him for that?” The ANC has failed the vast majority of prisoners who do legitimately qualify for medical parole, but it has personally benefited Shaik. In the same way, the ANC has failed to create opportunity for the vast majority of South African youth with its closed, crony policies, but it has privileged a select few, like its blundering Youth League President, Julius Malema. In return for their slavish obedience to Jacob Zuma and their promises to “kill for Zuma”, members of the Youth League’s ruling clique are rewarded with perks, positions and privileges. They drive around in fancy cars and wear flashy clothes, which haven’t been earned through hard work and talent, but which have been acquired through networks based on cronyism and corruption. The Gucci revolutionaries in the ANC Youth League couldn’t care less about empowering and developing the youth. Like their counterparts in the parent body, they are only interested in keeping on Zuma’s right side, lining their back pockets and entrenching their power inside and outside the party. That is why, at its National Executive Committee (NEC) Lekgotla ten days ago, the Youth League undertook to continue its support for Zuma and insisted on nominating its Deputy President as Chairperson of the new National Youth Development Agency (NDYA) Board. The NDYA will be funded by the taxpayer, and you can count on it that if members of the ANC Youth League get onto the Board, taxpayers’ money will be wasted in expensive hotels and restaurants and squandered on BMWs and designer labels. The ANC, like its Youth League, has betrayed the youth of South Africa. One of the key findings that went unnoticed earlier this week when Statistics South released its latest unemployment data is that 75% of all unemployed South Africans are aged between 15 and 34. More than one third are between 15 and 24 years old. These figures are an indictment on the ANC. They show that the ruling party has failed to equip the “born-free” generation with the education and skills they need to participate in the economy and thereby contribute to the prosperity of all South Africans. The growing pool of poorly educated, unskilled and unemployed young South Africans aggravates a vicious cycle of other social problems – like poverty, delinquency, alcoholism, drug abuse and crime – which destroy the cornerstones of a democratic society: openness and opportunity. It also breeds frustration, anger and despair. But the fact is that the ANC has actively swelled this pool of disadvantaged youth through its policies, which are destroying opportunity and entrenching the closed, crony society. The rot starts in the education system. Too many learners drop out of the system before they reach benchmarked levels of achievement, and before they are functionally literate and numerate. Between 2005 and 2007, 535 000 young people left school without a passing certificate of any kind. Most of these people have no prospect of finding gainful employment. Those who remain in the system do not, by and large, receive a quality education: they are not provided with the tools they need to exercise their freedom, take advantage of their opportunities, and develop their full potential. Even if learners make it to matric – and pass – this does not guarantee them a job. That is because of labour laws which make it harder for job-seekers to enter the market and discourage employers from hiring workers – especially those who do not have a skills qualification or work record. Meanwhile, the ANC’s efforts to improve skills development by funding learnerships through the sectoral education and training authorities (Setas) have backfired. The Setas are a financial sinkhole: they are riddled with corruption and they have repeatedly failed to respond to the needs of the market. The DA believes that the state should focus on expanding and promoting equal opportunities for the youth through quality education, incentivised skills development and policies conducive to job-creating economic growth. Our education policy focuses on the essentials: reading, writing and calculating. It helps learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to overcome poverty and develop their natural talents by encouraging them to match their opportunities with hard work and personal responsibility, and by rewarding them for doing so. We will introduce a bursary voucher programme for academically promising children from low-income families, giving them the opportunity to receive better school education. The DA will provide all learners who pass matric with an opportunity voucher that they can use to start a small business or subsidise the costs of further education.To make it easier for young people to enter the labour market, we will reform the laws that destroy the prospects of many unemployed people to get jobs. We will encourage employers to hire first-time jobseekers by subsidising employees’ wages for a specific period to enable them to gain experience and demonstrate what they are capable of doing. And to promote skills development, we will reimburse employers for the cost of skills training. We believe that these policies will go a long way to reversing the scourge of youth unemployment brought upon us by the ANC. Our manifesto also includes a range of proposals that enable youths from disadvantaged backgrounds access to various work opportunities. They can sign up for a Youth Development Programme, or enrol for voluntary community service in the public sector, the police or the defence force. Those who complete these training periods would either be absorbed into the permanent structures of the public service or qualify for an opportunity voucher to further their careers. These proposals will create opportunity for the youth. In fact, the DA is the only party that puts youth development at the centre of its agenda. We have a range of other initiatives aimed at empowering the youth – like our Young Leaders’ Programme and our volunteer campaign, which you can find out more about at www.contributetochange.org.za. I invite you to be part of the DA’s efforts to empower the youth. There is a new wave of interest in politics among young people. During the recent IEC voter registration window, more than 1 million young people in the 18-to-29 age bracket registered to cast their ballots for the first time, compared to 300 000 older citizens. A total of 6 million youths under the age of 29 are now on the voters’ roll, compared to 4 million in 2004. Your vote is your power. Vote for a party that cares about the youth. Vote for a party that has carefully researched, workable, and costed solutions to unemployment, poverty and crime. Come 22 April, vote DA and vote to win!

Council 2 October 2008 Speeches: Annual Report 2004/05 & 2005/06

COUNCIL: 2 OCTOBER 2008; ITEM A. FROM THE SECTION 79: PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE: 15 AUGUST 2008

SPEECH BY CLLR. FRED NEL DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE TSHWANE CAUCUS SPOKESPERSON ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

What is an Annual Report?
An Annual Report is in reality a performance report of an organisation’s performance; primarily the financial performance of that organisation. However, with the rapid developments over the last ten years in corporate governance frameworks, annual reports also illustrate the management, environmental and social performance of an organisation as well as an opinion from an independent auditor, or the Auditor General in our case.
The annual reports, usually glossy colourful reports that we receive every year, of our city does exactly the same as the annual report of any business. It reports on the performance of the organisation and its management.

Organisational Oversight – A Comparison with a Private Sector Company
If we compare our municipality with a private sector company we can draw the following comparisons.
Private sector companies are governed by a board of directors (in our case the Council) who has the role to oversee the activities of the management of the company (in our case the municipal manager and his officials) on behalf of the company’s shareholders (in our case the ratepayers).
The oversight task of a board of directors is to ensure that:

* Shareholders’ investments are protected through diligent management by the management;
* Shareholders’ investments are generating a return (so that their money will remain invested in the company); and
* The management discharges its responsibilities legally and morally defensible.

In our case it means that Council must exercise oversight over the administration of the Municipality to ensure that they:

* Use the money paid by ratepayers responsibly (diligent management);
* Use the monies paid by ratepayers to provide them with infrastructure and services as described in Chapter 7 and Schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution (return on investment); and
* Exercise their duties and responsibilities within the parameters of South African law, regulations and moral standards (i.e. corporate governance requirements).
Oversight is exercised by the Council in the following ways.
* Through management reports that serve at the various portfolio committees and Council meetings during a financial year within the framework of Council’s budget, policies and procedures.
* By analysing and resolving on the Annual Report of Council that also contains the report from the Auditor General.

The first mechanism of oversight involves the ongoing activities of Council through Council and portfolio committee meetings.
The second mechanism is the one we are engaging with in this report that will serve before Council.

What Does Tshwane’s Annual Reports Say?
The annual reports that we have to express an opinion on today, raises certain concerns that needs serious attention. Granted that these annual reports can be described as historical, but with insight into the 2006/07 annual report one can analyse then within the context of the municipality’s overall financial and managemt process.
The main concerns emanating from these reports relates to the municipality’s administration’s failure to address recurring problems. The first glaring concern is the recurring qualified audit opinions received from the Auditor General. When the Auditor General expresses qualifications to the audit executed by him it means that discrepancies were found in the statements which could not be disproved or reasonably explained.
Of specific concern are the reoccurring problems with regards to

* Debtor management;
* Creditor management;
* Reporting on utilities’ performance and management; and
* A lack of input from the public and external stakeholders.

Furthermore we have found that these reports do not fully adhere to the provisions of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Why Should We be Concerned?
The qualified opinions with regards to our debtors and creditors are of specific concern as these two elements of the organisation’s financial management represent the basics of how any organisation functions financially. If you have inaccurate data with regards to your debtors and creditors you will never know how much income you can expect nor do you know how much you have to pay to creditors.
No business can operate in this way. If you cannot get the basics right you will fail financially. Just look what is happening to institutions all over the world today that were viewed as safe investments. If these reputable companies can fail, so can we.
If you are unable to collect all the monies owed to you, you experience reduced income, which means you cannot pay your bills nor do the things you are supposed to. You experience cash flow problems and have to borrow money in order to pay for your operations. This was the cause of Bear Stearns’ downfall and many other well-known financial institutions around the world. With the financial markets as they are today we will find it increasingly more difficult to raise money through borrowing meaning we are approaching a situation where we may not be able to pay salaries in the near future.
The inaccurate data with regards our creditors cause equal concern. The only way you can determine whether your are getting bang for your buck is if you know how much you need to pay a creditor and what you are getting in return for it.
It is the same with our utilities; we pay money over to them without the necessary oversight and without knowing whether our investments in these utilities are creating any value for us as a municipality and our shareholders on whose behalf we are investing the money.

So What Should we Do About it Today?
The decision we have to take today on these financial statements are an ideal opportunity for us as Council (or board of directors) to express ourselves towards the management of the organisation based on the performance data in these reports. We can today express to the municipal manager and his management whether we are satisfied with the standard of management and performance we and our shareholders are receiving from them. We must express ourselves about whether we are happy with the standard of the organisation’s performance, or not.
We have three options available to us in this regard.
* Approve the reports without reservations – indicating that there are no problems with the organisation’s performance and therefore our satisfaction with the way the municipality was run during these financial years.
* Approve the reports with reservations – indicating that the Reports reflects the true performance of the organisation but there were financial and management deficiencies identified that needs to be corrected – especially because the AG qualified his opinion. This would be an expression of our dissatisfaction and a message to our municipality’s management to improve their performance.
* Reject the Annual Report – it is not a true reflection of the organisations financial position and/ or performance – the statements can’t be accepted.
* Refer the Annual Report for revision – mistakes were made in the Annual Report that must be corrected excluding items that may not be revised.
The DA’s recommendation is that we approve the annual reports with reservations to indicate our dissatisfaction with the qualification by the Auditor General and the reoccurring problems with debtors, creditors, utilities and deficiencies in the reports themselves.
In actual fact, the guidelines from Treasury prefer Council to take this position when expressing itself on the annual reports.
There is no shame in doing this and will show that we as the Council (board of directors) seek prudence in the financial management of our municipality and performance when it comes to service delivery. We have a corporate governance duty to take such a position.

The ANC Position
However, I suspect that the ANC would not agree with this course of action today which is a pity and a shame insofar as good corporate governance is concerned - which so by the way is one of the municipality’s key performance areas.
The ANC argument is that corrective steps are being taken and that we should therefore take the municipal manager’s word that all the problems will be solved. However, this position is ill conceived and irresponsible. Enron, WorldCom and other corporate governance failures also took decisions based on the promises of its management executives instead of taking decisions based on the performance of its management. We can only take decisions based on fact and not on promises from the administration. This argument therefore does not hold water.
We can only accept these and future annual reports if the Auditor General opinion is unqualified. This should be the standard we should be setting our administration today. The ANC position of accepting these reports without reservations just once again indicates the low corporate governance, management and service delivery standards it sets itself.
The ANC is also politicising our public accounts committee and reports with its insistence that these reports be accepted without reservation when even the guidelines from treasury advises otherwise.
* It is clear that the ANC views it as a personal embarrassment if we accept the reports with reservation. This is once more proof that the ANC has extended itself beyond the boundary between party and state and has made the municipal administration an extension of itself. Otherwise the ANC would have been objective in its approach to this matter. It would have truly represented its voters by voting on their behalf today and sending a message on behalf of their voters to the municipal administration that it needs to improve itself.
* But I suppose it is difficult to act independently from the municipal administration when the municipal manager himself is a political deployment who politically outranks most of his superiors within the political structure of the municipality. This undermines the whole notion of oversight by the municipal public accounts committee and this council when those over whom we must exercise oversight, tells the ANC what their decisions should be. Another example of atrocious corporate governance.

Conclusion
If we accept these annual reports without reservations it will mean that everything is just fine and that there are no problems, business can continue the way it has thus far. The DA cannot accept the low standard set by the ANC with regards our annual reports and strongly urges all councillors to vote in favour of accepting these reports with reservations.
END

SPEECH BY COUNCILLOR HEIN REDELINGHUYS

Mr. Speaker
(1) According to the Municipal Finance Management Act [MFMA] (sec. 127 (2), the mayor of the municipality must within 7 months after the end of the financial year table in the municipal council the Annual Report[AR], i.e. January. And then within 2 months after the tabling of the Annual Report council must adopt an Oversight Report containing Council’s comments on the AR, which must include a statement whether council --
(a) has approved the AR with or without reservations’
(b) has rejected the AR; or
(c) has referred the AR back for revision, i.e. end of March
(2) Tshwane has not achieved this
(3) It seems to me a serious “Wake-up!” call is necessary here in Tshwane
(4) It further seems to me that councilors need more training, including the councilors sitting on the MPAC Committee
(5) It is supposed to be an a-political committee where all political parties should put their party political agendas aside and work together, but it seems to me that some of the ANC members on the committee have not yet grasp this
(6) The ANC members on this committee seem unable to differentiate between party ideologies and the reason for the existence of MPAC. If one tries to assist them, one is faced with obstinate resistance
(7) We are very far from National Treasury’s idea that all councilors should also conduct their own investigation and that ward committees should also make an input
(8) Councilors should make a rigorous analysis of the AR with inputs from other stakeholders and ALL councilors should fully understand the AR in order to identify matters that require further information from the accounting officer
(9) The Municipal Manager attempted to consolidate the Auditor-General’s Management letter of 23 pages into less than 2 pages in the minutes of MPAC’s meeting of 15 August 2008, thereby leaving out important information
(10) The A-G allows time and assists with the problems, yet there are still exceptions in the annual Report
(11) The Tshwane Metro received the management letter during December 2007, yet MPAC only received it in August 2008, 8 months later
(12) The 05/06 management letter has not yet been received, but certain aspects of previous years were covered in the 06/07 management letter, like the R3,8 billion assets that could not be verified in the assets register as the location of these assets is not available. QUESTION: Do we still have these assets?
(13) How ward committee fees expenses could be set-off from land sales is a mystery to me
(14) Creditors were understated by R40 million and the Municipal Manager conveniently left out the comment of the “in kind disclosure on the number of the mayor’s body guards”
(15) The Municipal Manager described the management letter as shocking. I agree with him – it is a disaster
(16) A Report was requested on fruitless and wasteful expenditure, what actions were taken in terms of the MFMA against officials responsible for this expenditure. So far: “No reply”

CONCLUSIONS:
(1) This Council will be foolish to accept the 04/05 and 05/06 Annual Report without reservations
(2) The time allowed by the MFMA to adopt an Oversight Report is no later than 2 months (March) after tabling the AR in Council (January). This is made very clear by National Treasury in its CONCLUSION in Circular 32 (page 7 of 17)
(3) If at that time all the components of the Annual Report are not yet completed on time, the Oversight Report must then be approved with reservations and be amended when the remaining components are tabled
(4) This Council must therefore also adopt the 06/07 Annual Report with reservations

(Prof) Hein Redelinghuys
Member, MPAC, 2 October 2008.

Decision to recall Mbeki taken to settle political scores

HELEN ZILLE

LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

The ANC National Executive Committee’s decision to “recall” President Mbeki is motivated by revenge to settle political scores. It has nothing to do with the interests of the people of South Africa.
The ANC has turned its internal battles into a crisis for South Africa. ANC factionalism has long undermined government’s ability to deliver, and it now threatens to destabilise the entire country.
The move is clearly an attempt to find the ‘political solution’ to Jacob Zuma’s legal problems that his supporters have been calling for. Replacing President Mbeki with a Zuma proxy will open the way for them to ensure that he does not have to face a court of law to answer the 783 allegations of corruption against him. If Zuma is put above the law it will do more to undermine the Constitution than anything else.
It is untenable for Jacob Zuma to assume the Presidency without being acquitted of these charges by a court of law. Judge Nicholson’s judgment was not an acquittal.
The DA looks forward to the 2009 election, when the people of South Africa, rather than the ANC, get to choose South Africa’s next president. People are sick and tired of the factionalism in the ANC and the abuse of state institutions for factional advantage.
The DA will offer South Africa a clear alternative to the ANC: A party that places the rule of law, the Constitution and the interests of South Africa before internal power struggles.

Die Zuma-uitspraak - Wat Nou?

SA Vandag - Die Weeklikse Nuusbrief deur Helen Zille, Leier van die DA

Die DA is ’n party wat die oppergesag van die reg en die Grondwet sterk steun, en respekteer dus die uitspraak in die Pietermaritzburgse Hoërhof om – op grond van ’n regstegniese punt – die besluit om Jacob Zuma weens bedrog en korrupsie te vervolg, tersyde te stel. Die Hof se uitspraak was daarop gegrond dat die Nasionale Vervolgingsgesag (NVG) Zuma nie toegelaat het om vertoë te rig voordat hy besluit het om die aanklagte teen hom weer in te stel nie. Kragtens die Grondwet moes hy dit gedoen het.
’n Onvoorsiene gevolg van die uitspraak is dat sommige van Zuma se ondersteuners dalk die gevolgtrekking sal maak dat hul intimiderende en gewelddadige optrede die regter se beslissing beïnvloed het. Hulle moet verstaan dat hul gedrag hoegenaamd geen invloed op die uitspraak gehad het nie. Hulle moet ook verstaan dat die uitspraak Zuma nie van enige skuld onthef nie.
Dit is belangrik dat regter Nicholson beklemtoon het dat die uitspraak geen oordeel oor Zuma se skuld of onskuld inhou nie. Dit beteken ons weet nog steeds nie of Zuma ten opsigte van die aanklagte van korrupsie teen hom skuldig of onskuldig is nie. Die DA sal sy bes doen om dié kwessie tot ’n spits te dryf.
Dit is waarom die DA sy beroep op ’n volle regterlike kommissie van ondersoek na die wapentransaksie, met 'n oudregter wat deur die Hoofregter benoem word aan die hoof daarvan, herhaal. Ons moet die waarheid vasstel, en geregtigheid moet seëvier. Niemand wat by die wapentransaksie-korrupsie betrek word, moet aan ’n behoorlike regsproses ontsnap nie.
Ons het ook gevra dat die Parlement ontbind moet word, en dat ’n verkiesing uitgeroep moet word weens regter Nicholson se verklaring dat hy “nie oortuig is dat die aansoeker (Zuma) verkeerd was om aan te voer dat daar politieke inmengery by sy vervolging was nie”. Daar is nog verklarings in die uitspraak wat ’n mens maar net kan laat aflei dat staatsinstellings in pres. Mbeki se ampstermyn vir politieke doeleindes misbruik is terwyl faksies om beheer gebots het.
Dit beteken dat Mbeki, en smouse van mag wat aan hom verbonde was, die Grondwet ondermyn het. Dit is onhoudbaar dat hy in sulke omstandighede steeds die President kan wees.
Die ontbinding van die Parlement sal egter ’n ewe onhoudbare situasie skep, want dit sal bloot die weg vir Zuma baan om president te word terwyl daar steeds ’n donker wolk bo sy kop hang. Kiesers kan in sulke omstandighede geen ingeligte keuse maak nie.
Die faksiegevegte binne-in die ANC, en die regerende party se misbruik van die Grondwet, beteken dat Suid-Afrika tussen twee meulstene vasgevang is.
Dit is waarom twee dinge in belang van die land moet gebeur: Mbeki moet as President bedank, en Zuma moet hom as Presidentskandidaat onttrek totdat hy in ’n hof verhoor is en sy skuld of onskuld bewys het. Suid-Afrika sal steeds deur die onafgehandelde gevolge van die wapentransaksieskandaal gerem word totdat dié mans die land se belange voor hul eie plaas.
Die positiewe sy van die uitspraak is dat dit eise deur Zuma se ondersteuners vir ’n politieke eerder as ’n regsoplossing tot niet maak. ’n Politieke oplossing sou baie ernstige gevolge vir die toekoms van ons konstitusionele demokrasie gehad het, want dit sou ’n beskuldige op grond van sy politieke status bo die wet geplaas het. Die kwessie van ’n politieke oplossing kan nie weer opgediep word nie, al besluit die NVG om teen die Hoërhof se uitspraak appèl aan te teken.
Die uitspraak bewys ook aan Zuma se ondersteuners, as hulle enige bewyse nodig gehad het, dat die regbank onpartydig is en aan die hand van die reg uitsprake lewer. Hulle moet nou hul respek vir die regbank bewys wanneer uitsprake nie hul politieke voorkeure weerspieël nie. As Zuma sy dag in die hof beleef, en ons glo dít is in die land se belang, sal sy ondersteuners geen rede hê om te glo dat hy nié ’n regverdige verhoor sal beleef nie.
Ons regbank het bewys dat hy nie aan magsmisbruik aandadig sal wees nie. Die Konstitusionele Hof se geding teen regter Hlope toon dit, net soos die uitspraak van twee weke gelede dat die Erasmus-kommissie van Ondersoek onwettig en ongrondwetlik was.
Ek het reeds oor die belangrikheid van daardie uitspraak vir konstitusionele demokrasie uitgewei, en gaan my nie hier herhaal nie, behalwe om te sê dat daardie uitspraak my weer hoop vir ons land se toekoms gegee het. Dit het bewys dat die Grondwet met welslae teen die ANC se magsmisbruik verdedig kan word, en dat die howe sterk genoeg is om sulke misbruike in toom te hou.
Dit skep ’n belangrike voorbeeld vir die toekoms, en bewys ook dat die regbank as instelling hom nie deur magtige politici laat beïnvloed nie. Instellings maak die kern van ’n konstitusionele demokrasie uit: daarsonder verkrummel die hele bouwerk.
Terwyl ons vorentoe beweeg, moet alle Suid-Afrikaners – ook Zuma se ondersteuners – moed skep omdat ons ’n sterk en onpartydige regbank het. Dit gee ons hoop vir die toekoms.

Gaan na www.da.org.za om gratis vir hierdie e-nuusbrief in te skryf.

DA Tshwane Caucus Has a New Leader!

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has pleasure in announcing the new leadership to lead the Tshwane DA Caucus.

The DA would like to congratulate the following persons for being elected to leadership positions in the Tshwane DA Caucus:

- Kate Prinsloo as Leader;

- Justus De Goede as Chairperson;

- Dana Wannenburg as Vice-chairperson;

- Natasha Michael as Chief Whip; and

- Derek Flemming as Deputy Chief Whip

The DA has full confidence in this team who will lead the Official Opposition in Pretoria with zest and dedication

Kate Prinsloo issued the following statement outlining her vision for the caucus.

The DA in the Tshwane Metro Council faces unique challenges and opportunities in the run-up to the 2011 Local Government elections when it is our intention to take over the government of the city. To this end the DA sees itself not so much as the official opposition but more as a government in waiting. Recent by-election results in the city has shown a marked decrease in support for the ruling party and increasing support for the DA. This trend is being supported by national opinion polls.

If all opposition supporters come out in force to vote in 2009 and 2011 and we continue to see the ANC support dwindling we can take over the city. The combined opposition vote in the Tshwane local government election polls was 42,76 . A coalition government, led by the DA, is the obvious solution to our city's problems. Under the leadership of Helen Zille great strides have been made towards making coalition governments work. Already the working relationship between the DA, the Freedom Front and the ACDP in council has improved immeasurably and it is my intention to further consolidate this working relationship.

There is a great depth of skills in the DA Caucus. We have two qualified and experienced CA's who represent the party in the financial portfolio. This as opposed to the ANC and even council where there are no CA's at all. We have lawyers, engineers, trade unionists, demographers, activists and very experienced politicians in our caucus. What distinguishes us from the ANC is that we see ourselves as potential managers of the city and not as incumbents to the gravy train. It is my responsibility and the responsibility of each member of my caucus to show how we could govern this city better.

The DA is appalled at the performance of the Mayor, who seems to be emulating Mbeki by the amount of international swanning about she does instead of dealing with problems, often of her own making, on her own front step. It is time for her to step down and I will, as leader of the caucus, do everything within my power to make this happen sooner rather than later.

The internal dissent within the ANC is palpable and is further debilitating an already dismal performance. I am concerned that when we take over this local government in 2011 it will be completely bankrupt, financially, morally and operationally. The flight of skills from council as a result of the poorly conceived and badly managed Alternative Delivery System has now reached epidemic proportions. We need to assure officials and citizens that we are not necessarily in a never ending downward spiral. That change is possible and that change will come soon.

It is not my first time as caucus leader. In 1994, during the transitional phase of the present phase I was the only member of the then DP in Council. I was therefore leader, chief whip and bottle-brusher for a while. The caucus now boasts 47 DA councillors and it is a privilege and a challenge to lead such a big team.

I joined the then Progressive Party in 1974 and have been continually involved in politics ever since, through the dark days of apartheid, Nationalist Party rule and the halcyon days of the achievement of our constitutional democracy. I have also, unfortunately, seen the systematic erosion of everything we fought for over the last few years. I have spent a term in the Gauteng Legislature as DA Spokesperson for Social Welfare and Population Development and also for Education. Local government however remains my passion. It is at this level that we still have a semblance of direct representation and where we can truly make a difference to peoples lives.

I have studied law, history and politics, am an Advocate of the High Court and have a particular interest in family law. I have lived in Pretoria (not Tshwane) all my life. I have three sons and two beautiful grandchildren.

Councillor Kate Prinsloo (083 458 5324)

DA Release on Schubart Park Disaster

Schubart Park Disaster

Press release: Councillor Natasha Michael, Chief Whip Democratic Alliance, Tshwane. 22 July 2008

The Democratic Alliance Tshwane Caucus reacted with horror at today’s disaster that occurred at Schuburt Park Building in Pretoria Central.

“It is the most horrific end to a terrible tale that has been going on for years, the ANC led council has been making promises to the residents of this building for years, but due to a complete lack of service delivery and complete insensitivity towards the residents, nothing was done. This building was a health and safety risk and has been for years, it is an utter disgrace that the municipality did not act immediately! This ANC council has no respect for the human dignity of these residents and should today hang their heads in shame. The DA has warned the council on various occasions that this building was a time bomb waiting to explode and today our worst fears were confirmed. Perhaps if the Mayor and her staff spent more time in the city that they are supposed to serve and less time in Austria watching the Euro 2008 finals whilst staying in luxury hotels, residents of the city would not have to live in inhumane conditions” Said DA Chief Whip in the council Natasha Michael.


Councillor Natasha Michael – 083 282 0668


The following note was delivered this morning to the mayor’s office:

URGENT


To: THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR; THE CHIEF WHIP; THE SPEAKER


BY EMAIL ONLY


22 JULY 2008


Dear Executive Mayor; Chief Whip and Speaker

Schuburt Park Disaster

Please urgently inform the Democratic Alliance Tshwane Metro Caucus as to what steps have been taken to house and feed the residents of Schuburt Park Building following their forced eviction this morning.

We also formally request an investigation into the cause of the forced evictions as well as an investigation as to why alternative accommodation was not made available to the above mentioned residents before the forced eviction was required.

We further request a report to be handed to the Democratic Alliance Tshwane Metro caucus in which the council’s detailed plans regarding the building and problems there associated are outlined, including all responses to complaints lodged regarding the building by the Democratic Alliance.

We trust that we can expect this information as a matter of urgency in light of the tragedy that occurred at Schuburt Park today!


Yours faithfully
_______________________________
Clr Natasha Michael
Chief Whip of the Official Opposition: Tshwane Metro Council ;
Deputy Provincial Chairperson: Democratic Alliance Gauteng

Important By-Election Victory for the DA in Pretoria

BETEKENISVOLLE VIR DA OORWINNING IN PRETORIA: TUSSENVERKIESING GEHOU OP 16 JULIE 2008

Mediaverklaring

Raadslid Jan van Zyl, Voorsitter van die Demokratiese Alliansie se Gauteng-Noord Streek, het hulle kandidaat, Mev Suzette Fourie, geluk gewens met haar verkiesing as DA raadslid vir Wyk 55 in die weste van Pretoria. Sy het die tussenverkiesing met 'n meerderheid van 143 stemme gewen waar die VF+, die ANC en die ACA ook kandidate gestel het.

Die Demokratiese Alliansie het ‘n verbete aanslag van die VF+ suksesvol afgeweer met hierdie oorwinning. Hierdie oorwinning bewys dat die DA se boodskap van goeie dienslewering tot kiesers oor kultuurgrense heen spreek. Die VF+ se retoriek wat swaar op minderheidsvrese steun, vind nêrens meer by denkende mense aanklank nie en behoort tot die verlede.

“Die DA is trots op sy lede en ondersteuners. Die VF+ het tevergeefs met sy hele arsenaal van oor die ganse land, insluitende sy top leierskap, op die verkiesing konsentreer. Die DA se boodskap van ‘n sterk opposisie teen die ANC het egter meer inslag by die kiersers gevind”, het Raadslid Van Zyl gesê.

Hy het bygevoeg dat “Etniese gebaseerde klein politiek, deurspek van venyn, nie meer tot die kiesers spreek nie. Die opsie van ‘n sterk opposisie gebaseer op getoetste beginsels wat die demokrasie tot die voordeel van alle gemeenskappe bestendig, geniet groter steun as uitgediende bangmaak stories. Dit is jammer dat die VF+ so 'n venynige aanval op die Leier van die DA, Helen Zille, geloods het. Mens moet seker maar met modder begin gooi waar jou beleid tekort skiet. Die inwoners van Wyk 55 kan egter verseker wees dat raadslid Fourie vir al die mense tot diens sal wees. Sy is 'n voorslag mens wat dinge kan raakvat! Met die oorwinning gister berei die party homself voor om saam met ander partye, geskoei op gedeelde waardes, die oorname van die Tswane Metroraad in die volgende plaaslike verkiesing in 2011, te verseker."

Uitgereik deur: Raadslid Jan van Zyl, Voorsitter DA Gauteng-Noord Streek
Tel 012 347-7673, Faks 012 347-9114 - Selfoon 082 467 7860 - e-pos: janvzyl@mweb.co.za


IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR DA IN PRETORIA: BY-ELECTION HELD ON 16 JULY 2008
Media statement
Councillor Jan van Zyl, Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance, Gauteng North Region, congratulated their candidate, Mrs Suzette Fourie, on her election as DA councillor for Ward 55 in the west of Pretoria. She won the by-election with a majority of 143 votes where the FF+, the ANC and the ACA also had candidates.
The Democratic Alliance successfully fought a tough onslaught from the FF+ with this victory. It proves that the message of the DA of excellent service delivery reaches voters of all cultural groups. The rhetoric of the FF+, which leans heavily on minority fears, does not find favour with thinking people, and belongs to the past.
"The DA is proud of his members and supporters. The FF+ concentrated with his whole arsenal from all over the country, including his top leadership corps, on this by-election, but without success. The message of the DA to form a strong opposition against the ANC found more favour with the electorate," councillor Van Zyl said.
Van Zyl added that "ethnic-based politics, full of venom, does not interest the electorate any longer. The option of a strong opposition based on tested principles which strengthens democracy in the interest of all communities, receives bigger support as obsolete and old-fashioned intimidating stories. It is a pity that the FF+ orchestrated such a vicious attack on the Leader of the DA, Helen Zille. I suppose one must start slinging mud where your policy is getting a bit thin. The residents of Ward 55 can be assured that councillor Fourie will be of service to all the people. She is a quality person who can make things happen! With this victory yesterday, the party is preparing to take over the leadership in the Tshwane Metropolitan Council with other parties with the same values, at the next municipal election in 2001."
Issued by: Councillor Jan van Zyl, Chairperson, DA Gauteng North Region
Tel 012 347-7673, Fax 012 347-9114 - Cell 082 467 7860 - e-mail: janvzyl@mweb.co.za

DA Tshwane Caucus to Propose Motion of No Confidence in Speaker

The following motion of no confidence will be submitted to the Council meeting to be held on Thursday 31 July 2008. The motion speaks for itself.

MOTION SUBMITTED IN TERMS OF SECTION 18 OF THE NEW RULES AND ORDERS OF THE CTMM

The Democratic Alliance (DA) refers to the following as failures by the Speaker of Council to perform his duties.

The DA refers to the Special Council Meeting of 29 May 2008 and:

1. The failure of the Speaker to commence the council meeting at the advertised time of 10:00 instead commencing the meeting at 10:20;

2. The late compilation of a speakers’ list for the meeting;

3. The failure of the Speaker to allow a full debate on the Draft Tshwane Integrated Development Plan (2006-2011);

4. The attempt by the Speaker to re-open debate on the Medium –Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework 2008/09 and the mishandling of the approval of this item in line with Rules and Orders 15 (1),(2) and (3) of the City of Tshwane;

5. The disallowance of motion 59 of 2008 contrary to Rule 19(1)(a) requesting that council meet ‘regularly each and every month…’ and which was not dealt with specifically in Part V Item 34 of the council agenda.

The DA further refers to the Office of the Speaker and:

1. Notes the failure of the Office of the Speaker to ensure that all council questions submitted in terms of Rule 10 of the Rules and Orders of the City of Tshwane are in fact answered, and are answered comprehensively and accurately ‘within seven days after the, meeting at which the questions were answered’;

2. Further notes the failure of the Office of the Speaker to dispose of all petitions submitted to Council ‘within 90 days of receipt thereof’ in line with Rule 16(2) of the Rules and Orders of the City of Tshwane;

3. The disallowance of several urgent motions proposed by the DA over the past two years;

4. The DA also notes the failure of the Office of the Speaker to ensure proper and meaningful public participation and the presence of senior council officials at all by-law/policy public participation process and presents evidence of this by referring for example, to the non-appearance of council officials at a four by-law public participation process which was to have been held in Centurion Council Chamber at 6:00pm on 5 June 2008;

5. The DA moreover notes for example, the failure of the Office of the Speaker to send a senior council official to the Centurion Council chamber on 24 June 2008, to conduct a workshop on the proposed ward committee by-law and the additional failure to supply on time councillors and others with the most up to date draft of this by-law.

The DA therefore has no confidence in the Speaker’s ability to impartially chair Council meetings and further deplores his lack of commitment to abiding by the letter and spirit of the Rules and Orders of Council and democratic practices of debate, and his inability to carry out his duties as head of the Office of the Speaker.

The DA therefore requests the Speaker of Council to be removed from office forthwith.

Proposer: Cllr C J Napier

Seconder: Cllr C Mc Donald

DA calls for the immediate re-opening of the Metro Police’s Drug Unit

Press release: Ward Councillor Karen Meyer, DA Spokesperson: Community Safety and Emergency Services, Tshwane. 11 July 2008

It is with shock that the DA learned about the closure of the Tshwane Metro Police’s Drug Unit this week.

This unit is according to the DA the most productive and effective unit within the Metro Police. Only this year the unit, with only five members, made 255 arrests – an outstanding achievement!

In Pretoria alone there were 8127 drug cases for 2007/08 which represents 25% of the total drug cases in Gauteng.

The fact that these members with their specialist background and training in line with international standards, are deployed to the Crime Prevention Unit without any consultation or prior knowledge, is unacceptable.

The Council is blaming the new ASD system, but the DA believes we were all mislead by the ANC because there was no indication regarding the closure of the Unit.

This unit would have launched a project in June to address heroin and cannabis problems at schools in Atteridgeville where up to 25 % (2500) of the learners are already addicted to drugs. Due to insufficient resources the project was cancelled that compelled the learners to hold a march on the 20th of June where the mayor was present.
We are clearly faced with a crisis that cannot be ignored. Even more shocking is the ANC’s and the Metro Council’s inability to give guidance and vision in this regard.

Less than two months ago the Council approved an amendment by the DA that the Metro Police purchase effective drug tests and report back on the success to Council within six months. This and the fact that two members of the drug unit has just returned from a course presented by the French government, underline the fact that the Council seriously lacks sufficient planning.

The DA cannot allow that this Division close its doors due to unprofessional management. The DA will therefore submit a motion at this month’s Council meeting insisting on the re-opening of the Unit.

Councillor Karen Meyer
DA Spokesperson: Community Safety and Emergency Services
Tshwane Metro Council
082 373 7662

DA eis die onmiddelike heropening van die Tshwane Metropolisie se dwelm eenheid!

Persverklaring: Wyksraadslid Karen Meyer, DA Woordvoerder: Gemeenskapsveiligheid en Nooddienste, Tshwane. 11 Julie 2008

Die DA is uiters geskok met die nuus dat die Tshwane Metropolisie Dwelmeenheid se deure hierdie week gesluit is.

Hierdie divisie is volgens die DA die produktiefste en mees effektiefste eenheid binne die Metropolisie. Hierdie eenheid, met slegs vyf lede, het hierdie jaar reeds 255 arrestasie gemaak, ‘n ongelooflike prestasie.

Slegs in Pretoria alleen wys ‘n totaal van 8 127 dwelmsake vir die 2007/08 jaar wat 25% van Gauteng se totaal is. In die laaste jaar alleen is ‘n toename van 85% in Gauteng aangeteken.

Die feit dat hierdie lede met hul spesialiteitsagtergrond en opleiding van internasionale standaarde nou opgedeel en herontplooi is na die Misdaadvoorkomings eenheid sonder enige konsultasie of vooraf kennis, is eenvoudig onaanvaarbaar! Die nuwe ASD sisteem kry volgens die raad amptelik die skuld, maar die DA glo ons is almal mislei deur die ANC aangesien daar geen aanduiding was dat hierdie eenheid sou sluit nie!

Hierdie eenheid sou ‘n projek in Junie geloods het om die heroien en dagga probleem by skole in Atteridgeville aan te spreek waar tot 20% (2 500) van die leerlinge reeds verslaaf is aan dwelms. As gevolg van ‘n tekort aan hulpbronne moes die projek gekanselleer word wat die skoolkinders genoop het om ‘n optog op 20 Junie te hou waar die Burgemeester teenwoordig was.

Ons sit met ‘n ernstige krisis wat nie geignoreer kan word nie. Meer skokkend egter is die ANC en Tshwane Metroraad se onvermoë om die nodige leiding en die nodige visie te gee.

Die raad het minder as twee maande gelede ‘n amendament van die DA goedgekeur dat die Metropolisie effektiewe dwelmtoetse moet aankoop en die sukses daarvan binne ses maande aan die raad rapporteer. Dit en die feit dat twee van die dwelmeenheid se lede so pas terug is van ‘n dwelmkursus wat die Franse regering aangebied het, wys dat die raad self nie behoorlike beplanning aan die dag lê nie!

Die DA kan nie toelaat dat hierdie divisie sy deure sluit as gevolg van onprofessionele bestuur nie en sal by hierdie maand se raadsvergadering ‘n mosie indien waarop ons gaan aandring op die heroopmaak van hierdie eenheid!

Raadslid Karen Meyer
DA Woordvoerder: Gemeenskapsveiligheid en Nooddienste
Tshwane Metroraad
Kontaknommer: 082 373 7662

Mmutle: a political appointment without benefit for the city

Persverklaring: Wyksraadslid Karen Meyer, DA Woorvoerder: Gemeenskapsveiligheid en Nooddienste, Tshwane. 19 Junie 2008

Mmutle: ‘n politieke aanstelling sonder voordeel vir die stad

Die Demokratiese Alliansie het met skok kennis geneem dat die ANC beheerde raad voortgegaan het met die kontroversiële aanstelling van Kommissaris Mpho Mmutle as hoof van die Tshwane Metro Polisie. Dit kom na herhaalde waarskuwings deur die DA dat hierdie nie ‘n gewensde aanstelling is nie.

Dit is duidelik dat politiek belangriker is as effektiewe dienslewering en produktiwiteit. Hierdie aanstelling voeg nie ‘n waarde by tot die Gemeenskapsveiligheid Department nie, ‘n department wat juis nou bekwame bestuur en leiding benodig om effektiewe dienslewering te verseker.

Mmutle is in Desember 2004 met ‘n lang lys aantygings teen hom van die raad na die Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiediens “teruggeroep”.

‘n Forensiese oudit deur die ouditeursfirma Deloitte en Touche het in 2004 tugstappe teen Mmutle, sy drie adjunkte en nog vier senior metropolisielede aanbeveel na bewerings van nepotisme, korrupsie en wanbestuur op die televisie program Carte Blanche.

Soever bekend is die aantygings van wanbestuur teen Mmutle nooit weerlê nie.

Daar is ook reeds aanduidings dat Mmutle sy eie span saam bring na die pos by die Metro polisie.

Die DA is vas oortuig dat daar ander kandidate vir hierdie pos was sonder ‘n negatiewe geskiedenis. Waarom moes die keuse juis op Mmutle val?

Misdaad is almal se vyand nommer een. Juis daarom betreur die DA die feit dat die belange van die gemeenskap die knie moes buig voor goedkoop politiek met met geen voordeel vir die breë gemeenskap nie.

Raadslid Karen Meyer
DA Woordvoerder: Gemeenskapsveiligheid en Nooddienste
082 373 7662

Press release: Ward Councillor Karen Meyer, DA Spokesperson: Community Safety and Emergency Services, Tshwane. 19 June 2008

The Democratic Alliance learnt with shock that the ANC went ahead with the controversial appointment of Commissioner Mpho Mmutle as the head of the Tshwane Metro Police. This happened despite repeated warnings by the DA that this is not a desired appointment.

It is clear that politics are more important than effective service delivery and productivity. This appointment doesn’t add value to the Community Safety Department, a department that needs skilled management more than ever to ensure effective service delivery.

Mmutle has been ‘called back’ to the SAPS from the Council in 2004 with a long list of accusations against him.

A forensic audit by the audit firm Deloitte and Touche recommended disciplinary steps against Mmutle, his three deputies and four senior metro police members following accusations of nepotism, corruption en mismanagement on the television programme Carte Blanche.

To the DA’s knowledge these accusations of miss management have never been refuted.

There is already an indication that Mmutle will bring his own team with him to the post at the Metro Police.

The DA is convinced that there were other candidates for this post without any negative history. Why was Mmutle chosen?
Crime is everyone’s number one enemy. Therefor the DA finds regrettable that the interest of the community had to bow before cheap politics with no benefit for the broader community.

Councillor Karen Meyer
DA Spokesperson: Community Safety and Emergency Services
082 373 7662

JOIN THE MILLION MAN MARCH!!!

The DA urges all South Africans living in the Gauteng region to make a special effort to attend the Million Man March against crime.

Date: 10 June 2008
Time: Main Event starts at 11h30 and ends at 13h00.
Venue: Union Building, Pretoria

Join the DA on the grass on the left hand side of the Union Buildings. Go to the Million Man March website for more information regarding the routes, parking and procedures.

Let the 10th of June go down in history as a day of unity and purpose in South Africa in the fight against crime!

URGENT HELP NEEDED FOR DISPLACED IMMIGRANTS!

We are sitting with a very serious situation in Akasia at the moment: I'm sure everyone is aware of the refugee camp for foreigners that has been set up at Akasia Skietbaan, in Klerksoord for the immigrants. We are currently sitting with about 2000 immigrants in this camp.

There is no running water, no electricity, just 1 tap, about 3 toilets, tents (set up by the army) and a whole lot of tension.

We are in dire need of the following:

Formula Milk for babies;
Disposable nappies,
Blankets,
Ready to eat food;
Towels;
Cloths;
Tooth Brushes;
Tooth Paste;
Plastic Containers;
Buckets;
Cups;
Soap;
Washing Powder;
Vaseline;
Cream;
Warm Clothes for Babies and Children.

Medical donations: time from medical practitioners and medicine for ill children.

These are just the basic things every human being needs, and anything you want to donate will be appreciated.

Donations can be dropped off at the DA Head Office at 517 Jorrisen Street in Sunnyside where it will be collected and distributed.

There are children as young as 2 months and elderly as old as 87 years in this camp, with no refuge, nothing. Your very urgent help will be appreciated.

Please circulate this letter amongst people you think will be able to assist.

Feel free to contact Eloise if you have any questions.

Thank you.


For Queries:

DA Regional Office: Tel 012-343-1358

Cllrs. D.G Wannenburg Ward 2, J Barendrecht Ward 1 & B.J Wannenburg Ward 50

Eloise Robertson (PA)

Tel: 012 546 0410

Fax: 012 546 3158

wann@mweb.co.za

DA Calls the Amalgamation of Northern Gauteng Municipalities Unpractical, Non-Viable

Media Release Issued by Fred Nel, Leader DA Tshwane Caucus
Date: Monday 26 May 2008
Immediate release

Fred Nel, Leader of the DA Tshwane Caucus, today reacted to the proposed merger of the Tshwane (Greater Pretoria), Kungwini (Bronkhorstspruit) and Nokeng Tsa Taemane (Cullinan) councils and called it an unpractical and non-viable proposal. “The proposal by the Municipal Demarcation Board that these municipalities be merged is definitely a political decision and not a practical or viable one. It is clear that that due to the political problems in the various municipalities and the threat from the DA to win some of these in the next municipal election has played a role”.

“In our view the Municipal Demarcation Board was influenced by the ANC who was unhappy with the original proposal and it has buckled under the political pressure. There are problems in those municipalities and these could have been sorted out by restructuring the municipal system in those areas. Now it becomes the Tshwane Metro’s problem and the question that we have to ask is who is going to foot the bill to get service delivery restored to these areas said Nel.

Nel commented that the proposal made no sense geographically, economically or socially and will cause massive problems during the merger process. “We have just settled the Tshwane Metro Council’s integration almost eight years after it was formed and now it is going to be disrupted again due to this proposed merger. Service delivery will experience a further decline when this monstrously large municipality has to serve such a large geographic area.”

Nel also commented that millions has been spent by the Tshwane Metro Council to develop spatial development frameworks and to put a uniform planning system in place. “Our administration already creaks under the heavy load and now it will inherit three more councils that are in disarray. This will lead to another process where internal systems will have to be integrated causing further delays in municipal services.”

According to Nel the DA supported the original proposal that would have seen Silver Lakes, Mooikloof and other areas on the eastern urban edge of the Municipality be incorporated into the Metro. “The original proposal made sense as these areas formed natural linkages with the Tshwane Metro. However, the new proposal which will result in at least three major town centres very far apart from each other, does not make sense.”

END
Enquiries: Fred Nel - 0832632427

DA CONDEMNS XENOPHOBIA IN GARSFONTEIN

Statement issued by Fred Nel, Leader of the DA Tshwane Pretoria Caucus

Fred Nel, Leader of the DA’s Tshwane Caucus, today condemned the xenophobic attacks that occurred in the Moreleta Park/ Garsfontein area east of Pretoria. “We have been warning the council for a long time now that the informal settlements in the Woodlands area need to be addressed; however, they chose not to take action. We condemn the attack on foreigners in the area and request the government and security forces to step in and take control of the situation.”

Nel commented that apart from crime, the eastern side of Pretoria has always been a peaceful area and actions like this would no doubt shock the residents. “I am just scared that residents in the area, who are already fed up with violent crime, will take the law into their own hands if the police don’t step in and solve the problem. We could sit with a mini war on our hands if the situation is not calmed down immediately.”

Nel called on all political parties to play a role in educating their members in the art of tolerance in order to stem the wave of xenophobia. “I think we all have a role to play in educating communities to tolerate each other. Political parties, government and NGO’s need to step in and educate people that violence is never the solution to our problems. We already live in a violent and criminal society we don’t need to add these xenophobic attacks to our growing list of societal threats.”

END

Enquiries: Cllr. Fred Nel 0832632427

Click on the image above for details about the protest in favour of retaining the Scorpions. Forward it to everybody in your address book!!!

Sign the online petition to Save the Scorpions by clicking on this link: http://www.mypetition.co.za/index.php?page=sign_petition&petition_id=39

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT BY OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (ACDP, DA, ID & UDM)
15 May 2008

The ACDP, DA, ID and UDM yesterday filed a joint submission in the High Court as amicus curiae in the application brought by Mr Hugh Glenister to interdict the Government from disbanding the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO).

Our contention is that the decision to pursue legislation disbanding the Scorpions was not made by any organ of state, but by the ANC in an effort to protect its members from investigation and prosecution for alleged transgressions.

We contend that the continued existence of the Scorpions in its current form is an essential element in the fight against crime, a position reinforced by the Khampepe Commission Report.

The reasons that Government and ANC office-bearers have advanced for disbanding the Scorpions have never been sufficient. We have noted that the Khampepe Commission Report dispels virtually all of the "concerns" that have been raised by the ANC relating to the Scorpions. To find the actual motive, one only needs look at the statements by ANC Secretary Gwede Mantashe at a press conference with the DA that the Scorpions are being disbanded because they allegedly target ANC members.

The motive and process being followed in the ANC’s attempts to disband the Scorpions is an abuse of power and a subversion of democracy. We are united in our determination to prevent this undemocratic process that the ANC has initiated. We will pursue, jointly and separately, various steps to thwart the ANC`s disgraceful attempt to undermine the fight against organised crime and corruption. One such step is our decision to apply to act as friends of the Court in the Glenister application. We believe that we are in a position to provide the court with a unique perspective.

We will continue to exhaust all parliamentary avenues when this legislation is debated. We will also vigilantly monitor whether the public hearings provide South Africans adequate opportunity to raise their views. We will do everything in our power to prevent the parliamentary process being subverted and the ANC using its majority in Parliament to rubberstamp a law that will weaken our country’s crime fighting abilities and serves only the interests of certain ANC leaders.