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.

TSHWANE COUNCIL CASH FLOW PROBLEMS COULD SEE OFFICIALS WITHOUT SALARIES

Issued by Fred Nel, DA Tshwane spokesperson on Public Accounts

The Democratic Alliance has confidentially learnt that the Tshwane Council’s cash flow headache has now reached crisis proportions.
“Our information from reliable sources is that the Council is struggling with its cash flow and that its officials are scratching their heads to find enough income to pay salaries at the end of the month” said Fred Nel the DA’s spokesperson on Public Accounts in the Tshwane Metro.
“We were aware that there were concerns about the Council’s cash flow last month when a turnaround strategy for its finances was submitted to Council, despite the Mayor assuring Council that there were no problems with the Council’s finances. Why would we need a turnaround strategy when there was nothing wrong with Council’s finances? The item was withdrawn from the agenda when the DA wanted to discuss the content of the report at the meeting.” said Nel.
The DA is concerned that the turnaround strategy seemingly followed by Council only concentrates on cutting expenses and freezing vacancies in the Council but ignores collecting money owed to the Council. The Council’s outstanding debtors amounts to an excess of R 3 billion.
“Current debt collection strategies are failing and the lack of political will to collect on outstanding debts is pushing the Council further into the red. We warned council in August already that this was going to happen but the ANC did not listen. If the DA was in control we would have concentrated in getting the money in instead of cutting expenses which could negatively affect service delivery.” said Nel.
The DA calls on the Mayor to ensure that a suitable and realistic turnaround and debt collection strategy is tabled at the next Council meeting in order to address this crisis. Although, by then it may already be too late.

DA uit APS oor swak gemanierde VF+ optrede wat rasse-polarisasie aanblaas.

Die DA is ‘n party vir al die mense van Suid-Afrika. Dit beteken dat die DA die kulturele erfenisse van al die kultuurgroepe in Suid-Afrika hoog ag. Omdat die Afrikaner ook ‘n Suid-Afrikaner is, erken en respekteer die DA die geskiedenis van die Afrikaner wat in die straatname van Pretoria gereflekteer word.
Die DA erken ook dat die kulturele erfenisse van die ander kultuurgroepe wat in Suid-Afrika woon nie genoegsaam verreken is toe die straatname van Pretoria toegeken is nie. Dit is te wyte aan die internasionaal onaanvaarbare beleid van apartheid en rasseskeiding wat onomwonde deur die DA verwerp word. Die DA erken dus dat hierdie fout van die verlede ook in Pretoria reggestel moet word, soos ons leier en Burgemeester van Kaapstad reeds die leiding geneem het en ‘n navolgenswaardige voorbeeld gestel het. Met rustige, beredeneerde feite kan daar vir beide die Afrikanergemeenskap en ander gemeenskappe ‘n wedersyds aanvaarbare wen-wen situasie verkry word.
Die DA het sterk besware teen die wyse waarop hierdie proses deur die ANC-beheerde Tshwane-metroraad aangepak is. Dit is om daardie rede dat die DA en die DA Tshwane-koukus besluit het om by ‘n spontane gemeenskapskonfederasie soos Aksie-Pretoria-Straatname (APS) aan te sluit ten einde die gemeenskap se protes teen die ondeurdagte proses te koördineer. Die DA was dit verskuldig aan die inwoners en belastingbetalers van die Tshwane-metro. Die inwoners se dienste- en belastinggeld sou nie aan verbeterde dienslewering bestee gaan word nie, maar op straatnaamveranderings wat op ‘n ideologiese rasgedrewe manier deur die ANC gedryf word om die onmin in eie partygeledere te probeer heel.
Die DA het ook teen die verslag gestem op 27 September 2007 waarop hierdie “konsultasieproses” i.p.v. “deelnemingsproses” van die ANC geskoei is. Verder het die Hoofsweep van die DA en die koukusleier ‘n dringende mosie op die Tshwane-metroraadsvergadering van 2 Oktober 2008 ingedien, wat deur die Speaker verwys is na die Raadsvergadering van 30 Oktober. Die DA kon dus nie die gebrekkige proses stop nie.
Wyks- en proporsionele raadslede van die DA het in groot getalle al die “konsultasiepogings” van die ANC bygewoon en ook hulle inwoners uitgenooi om , ten spyte van die gebrekkige proses, hulle insette te lewer. Maar die VF+ het besluit om met emosionele rasgedrewe konfrontasie die proses te ontwrig. Hierdie strategie was reeds duidelik toe twee heethoofdige VF+ raadslede weens hulle beledigende, onmanierlike en onbeskaafte optrede uit die raads -vergadering van 2 Oktober verwyder is. Die gemeenskapsvergaderings het dus ontaard in rassistiese konfrontasies tussen wit en swart gemeenskappe, wat die VF+ as rasgebaseerde party uitstekend gepas het. Hulle het dus die saak waarvoor hulle hulle beywer het gekelder, want met die getalle meerderheid kan die ANC uit leedvermaak die name eensydig verander. Die DA kon dus nie verder met ‘n vennoot soos die VF+ in die APS saamwerk nie, nie oor die doel van die APS nie, maar oor die manier van optrede van die VF+.
Die DA doen dus ‘n beroep op die meerderheid demokratiese inwoners van Pretoria om hulle nie deur die ANC en VF+ op ‘n emosionele rasse-konfrontasie te laat lei nie. Die DA stel voor dat die proses van Oktober as ‘n les gesien word hoe om nie openbare deelname te doen nie. Ook dat die proses van selektering van 27 straatname deur die Sport, Ontspanning, Kuns en Kultuurdepartement nie aan die vereistes van die Grondwet oor Gemeenskapsinsette voldoen nie. Wie gee aan amptenare die reg om lukraak 27 name te selekteer? Hoe kan Kerk- en Zambesistrate aan Kolonialisme en rassisme gekoppel word? Ware openbare deelname beteken dat die gemeenskap die name moet selekteer wat verander moet word en die wat behoue moet bly. Die 27 name wat geselekteer is, is nooit aan kundiges voorgelê nie en die kriteria op grond waarvan hierdie 27 juis gekies is, is nie bekend nie.
Laastens word daar na die persverklaring van Dr. Corné Mulder van 14 Oktober verwys. Die VF+ beskou Afrikanerkiesers as hulle kieserspoel. Hulle vergeet gerieflikheidshalwe dat die meerderheid Afrikaners deur die DA verteenwoordig word, soos die tussenverkiesing in wyk 55 in Tshwane-metroraad in Pretoria in Julie aangedui het. Dr. Mulder is verbaas dat die DA by APS aangesluit het. Hy hoef nie verbaas te wees nie, want die DA kyk ook na die Afrikaner se belange. Die DA is getrou aan sy verkiesingsbeloftes en solank die ANC burgemeester en haar komitee nie diens lewer nie, sal ons hulle verantwoordbaar hou om nie geld op straatnaamveranderings te mors nie.
Ons sal egter nie toelaat dat die onbeskofte en onbeskaafde optrede van ‘n eks-vennoot (die VF+) van die DA in die APS die saak waarvoor daar geveg word verongeluk nie. Die DA het dus om daardie rede onttrek van die APS. Maar die DA is geensins uit die veldtog vir name soos die Tshwane-Beeld van 15 Oktober beweer nie. Die DA werk saam met organisasies soos Afriforum, Solidariteit en ander om deur ‘n goeddeurdagte, meer doeltreffende strategie hom te beywer om ‘n wen-wen situasie vir alle inwoners van Pretoria binne die

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.

DA Supports Appeal Decisions on Restricted Access

Press release: Ward Councillor Duncan Baker, DA Tshwane Caucus. 17 September 2008

DA supports rational approach regarding limited access to residential areas.

The Democratic Alliance welcomes the decision taken today by the Appeal Authority regarding limited access to residential areas in Pretoria. The favourable verdict today came after consensus was reached between the various parties.

The implication of the successful appeals by Resident associations is that applications will be considered on merit in future.

It probably extend the lifespan of the present seven applications that were appealed, depending on further information that will be presented.

“This paves the way that future applications will be considered on merit considering the interests of the community.” said councillor Duncan Baker( Ward 46).

There was a rare display of consensus between the political parties who held a joint caucus to decide on matters of procedure. The recommendations by all the departments in the Council were positive and supportive, including the Metro Police and the SAPS.

The various applicants are praised for the quality of their presentations that simplified matters for the Appeal Authority. The verdict offers a basis for constructive cooperation in future.

The DA will continue to fight for the rights of the community.

Councillor Duncan Baker
DA Ward councillor – ward 46
082 714 5185

Persverklaring: Wyksraadslid Duncan Baker, DA, Tshwane. 17 September 2008

DA ondersteun rasionele benadering betreffende beperkte toegang tot woonbuurte

Die Demokratiese Alliansie verwelkom die besluit wat vandag deur die appél liggaam geneem is rakende beperkte toegang tot woonbuurte in Pretoria.
Die gusntige uitspraak vandag kom nadat ongewone konsensus bereik is deur die verskillende partye.

Die implikasie van die suksesvolle appélle wat deur Inwoners Verenigings ingedien is, is dat sulke aansoeke suiwer op meriete oorweeg sal word in die toekoms.

Dit verleng waarskynlik die leeftyd van die huidige sewe aansoeke wat geappeleer is hangende verdere besonderhede wat hopelik binnekort uitgereik sal word.

“Dit weg die baan dat toekomstige aansoeke op meriete oorweeg sal word met inagneming van die gemeenskap se belange.” Aldus raadslid Duncan Baker (wyk 46).

Daar was ‘n seldsame vertoon van konsensus tussen politieke partye wat ‘n gesamentlike koukus gehou het om sake oor prosedures uit te klaar. Die aanbeveling van alle departemente in die raad was deurgaans positief en ondersteunend, insluitende die Metro polisie en die SAPD.

Die verskillende aansoekers word geloof vir die kwaliteit van hul voorleggings wat die taak van die appél liggaam aansielik vergemaklik het. Die uitspraak bied ‘n basis vir konstruktiewe samewerking in die toekoms.

Die DA sal aanhou om te veg vir die regte van die gemeenskap.

Raadslid Duncan Baker
DA Wyksraadslid – wyk 46
082 714 5185

Street Name Changes an election Gimmick

MEDIAVERKLARING: RDL. DANIE ERASMUS, DA WOORDVOERDER VIR PLEK EN STRAATNAME :TSHWANE . 12 SEPTEMBER 2008

STRAATNAAMVERANDERING ‘N VERKIESINGSFOEFIE

Die DA betreur die feit dat die ANC beheerde stadsraad van Pretoria onverwags ‘n aankondiging gemaak het oor hul voorneme om die name van 27 strate in Pretoria te verander. Dis goedkoop politiekery met die oog op aanstaande jaar se algemene verkiesing.

Pleks daarvan om dienslewering ‘n prioriteit te maak is kosmetiese veranderings die maklike uitweg – ongelukkig vir die rekening van belasting betalers en ten koste van versoening. Die Schubart park debakel het bewys hoe gebrekkig die raad se verbintenis tot dienslewering is.

Raadslid Natasha Michael, Hoofsweep in die Tshwane DA koukus het gesê dit bewys weereens waar die ANC se prioriteite lê. “ In plaas daarvan om duisende metro polisie lede beskikbaar te stel om misdaad in die stad te beveg, in plaas daarvan om behuising, water en elektrisiteit aan die stad se inwoners te verskaf, verkies die ANC om miljoene rande op naamsveranderinge te spandeer.’ het Michael gesê.

Volgens Rdl Danie Erasmus, DA woordvoerder oor plek- en Straatname sal die DA die proses van openbare deelname noukeurig volg om te verhoed dat die proses gestoomroller word. Inwoners sal aangemoedig word om deel te neem aan die proses. Waar die geskiedenis van die stad in gedrang is behoort name nie verander te word nie.

Waar straatname aanstoot gee, moet daar konsensus wees in die gemeenskap ten opsigte van naamsveranderings.

Die DA wil ook weet of die sake gemeenskap vergoed sal word vir die koste implikasies van straatnaam verandering. Sakekamers word aangemoedig om ‘n behoorlike koste raming te maak vir voorlegging aan die raad in hierdie verband.

Navrae: Rdl . Danie Erasmus ( 082 373 7760)

MEDIA STATEMENT: CLLR DANIE ERASMUS, DA SPOKEPERSON ON PLACE AND STREET NAMES. TSHWANE. 12 SEPTEMBER 2008.

STREETNAME CHANGES AN ELECTION GIMMICK

The DA regrets the fact that the ANC controlled council of Pretoria so unexpectedly announced their intention to change the names of 27 streets in Pretoria. It is seen as an attempt to score cheap political points shortly before next year’s general election.

In stead of making service delivery a priority, cosmetic changes seem to be the easier option – unfortunately for the account of the tax payers and at the cost of reconciliation. The Schubart park debacle proved the Council’s lack of commitment to service delivery.

Councillor Natasha Michael, Chief Whip of the Tshwane Democratic Alliance caucus, said this clearly indicate the ANC’s priorities. “Instead of providing the city with thousands of metro police officials the city so desperately need to fight crime, instead of providing housing, water and electricity to the residents, they prefer to spend millions on name changes.” Michael said.

According to Clr Danie Erasmus, DA spokesperson for place and street names, the DA will closely monitor the process of public participation to avoid the process simply being steam rolled. Residents will be encouraged to participate in the process. Where the history of the city is at stake, name changes should be avoided.

Where street names cause offence, there must be consensus in the community regarding name changes.

The DA would also like to know whether the business community will be compensated for the cost implications of the proposed name changes. Business chambers are encouraged to make a comprehensive cost analysis for presentation to Council in this regard.

Enquiries: Clr Danie Erasmus ( 082 373 7760)

DA Calls for Frensic Audit After Top Official’s Resignation

Press release: Ward Councillor Clive Napier, DA Spokesperson: City Planning, Development and Regional Services, Tshwane. 15 August 2008

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the resignation of Mr Tommy Harrington, Chief Building Inspector from the Tshwane municipality after more than twenty years service. The DA is not surprised by the reasons given by Mr Harrington for his resignation, including allegations of persons appointed to positions who are not fully qualified, pervasive nepotism and the reservation of posts in the municipality for friends, the accepting of bribes as ‘thank you’s’ , and having to function in an unhealthy work environment, and many other irregularities.
The DA has for some years been making representations in council concerning the general mismanagement and administrative failures of the City Planning and Development and Regional Services department of the municipality, which is a key department and a core interface between the municipality and residents.
The DA has repeatedly focused on and pointed out many additional failures of the Department including the slow pace in approving building plans and rezoning applications, the tardiness in conducting inspections and in prosecuting illegal land users and violators of building regulations.
The DA recognizes the importance of City Planning as an important facilitator in the development of the Tshwane municipal area and an important contributor to a well planned capital city of excellence. In view of the allegations made by Mr Harrington, the DA calls upon the Executive Mayor to urgently issue an instruction to have the a formal forensic audit conducted of the entire City Planning Department, to identify all corrupt practices and irregularities, and bring those to justice who might be involved.
The DA is firmly of the view that certain operations of the Building Control and Development Control sections of the Department should be privatized with a view to addressing the rapid collapse of services rendered by this Department as a result of the factors mentioned above, and the brain drain, of which Mr Harrington is just one example.
Councillor C J Napier - 082 827 5578

Mediaverklaring: Wyksraadslid Clive Napier, DA woorvoerder: Stadsbeplanning, Ontwikkeling en Streeksdienste, Tshwane. 15 Augustus 2008

Oproep vir Forensiese Oudit na Top Amptenaar se Bedanking

Die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) neem kennis van die bedanking van mnr Tommy Harrington, Hoof Bou-inspekteur van die Tshwane munisipaliteit na meer as twintig jaar se diens. Die DA is nie verras met die redes vir mnr Harrington se bedanking nie, insluitende bewerings van persone wat in posisies aangestel is wie nie ten volle gekwalifiseerd is nie, omvattende nepotisme en die reservering van poste in die munisipaliteit vir vriende, omkopery in die vorm van ‘dankies’, en om in ‘n ongesonde werksomgewing te funksioneer, en baie ander ongerymdhede.

Die DA het vir etlike jare aanbiedings aan die raad gemaak rakende die wanbestuur en administratiewe mislukkings deur die Stadsbeplanning-en- Ontwikkeling en Streeksdienste Department van die munisipaliteit, wat ‘n sleutel departement en ‘n kern skakeling tussen die munisipaliteit en die inwoners is.

Die DA het herhaaldelik op baie ander mislukkings van die departement gefokus en uitgewys, insluitende die stadige pas om bou-planne en hersonerings aansoeke goed te keur. Die traagheid om inspeksies uit te voer en die vervolging van onwettige grond gebruikers en verbreking van bou regulasies.

Die DA erken die belangrikheid van Stadsbeplanning as ‘n belangrike fassiliterings meganisme in die ontwikkeling van die Tshwane munisipale gebied en ‘n entiteit wat ‘n belangrike bydrae maak met die vestiging van ‘n goed beplande hoofstad van uitnemendheid. In die lig van die bewerings wat gemaak word deur mnr Harrington, doen die DA ‘n beroep op die Uitvoerende burgemeester om dringend ‘n instruksie uit te reik om ‘n formele forensiese oudit in die Stadsbeplannings department as geheel uit te voer, om alle korrupte praktyke en ongerymdhede te identifiseer, en om diesulkes wat hierby betrokke mag wees , tot verantwoording te roep.

Die DA voel sterk daaroor dat sekere operasies van die Bou beheer en Ontwikkelingskontrole seksies van die Departement geprivatiseer moet word om die vinnige ineenstorting van die dienste gelewer deur die departement, as gevolg van die redes hierbo genoem, en die brein kwyn, waarvan mnr Haarington net een voorbeeld is, aan te spreek.

Raadslid Clive Napier – 082 827 5578

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

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

Council was Warned about Blazing Building

Press Statement Released by Peter Millar, Councillor for ward 41.

There was a fire today (14/05/08) at 381 Pretoria Road, Silverton. A large part of the buildings were badly damaged.

A factory building was erected on this property more than two years ago. It is a residential area. The property is zoned for residential use and has never been rezoned. No plans for the building were ever submitted to or approved by the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. No occupation certificate was ever issued.

The building had been occupied and used as a manufacturing and repair facility. It created noise and caused other types of pollution. It loomed over the residential properties surrounding the building and had an unsightly façade.

In spite of numerous complaints to the Municipality by the residents and myself, nothing was done. In fact, the Municipality continued supplying water and electricity. The Municipality may not supply services to buildings that do not have approved building plans and occupation certificates.

The City Planning Department (Mr Martin van Niekerk, 012-358-4570, 082-494-7986) was fully aware of the problem and made numerous promises to take action. This type of business and/or building is not provided for in the town planning scheme, the development framework for the area or the Integrated Development Plan.

Due to inefficiencies, procrastinations and dereliction of duty, this problem was allowed to perpetuate. I discussed the particular problem of this property with the Mayor during a meeting with her in February 2007.

Not only was this building a problem to the residents of the area, but also posed a danger to the workers in the building, as we have now seen.

I am grateful that there were no serious casualties during the fire.

Now that the building has largely been destroyed, I hope the Municipality will make sure that the ruins are finally demolished and the illegal activities are stopped on the property.

This was certainly poetic justice.

PETER MILLAR
COUNCILLOR, WARD 41
TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
012-342-0527
082-574-4103
petermillar@polka.co.za

Mandela Honour Befitting Despite Municipal Workers' Disrespect

Press Release
13 May 2008
Tshwane Freedom of the City for Former President Mandela
The Leader of the Democratic Alliance in the Tshwane Metrpolitan Municpal Council, Fred Nel, today conveyed his party’s heartfelt congratulations to South Africa’s first democratic president Mr Nelson Mandela on being awarded freedom of the city.
“This is a very befitting tribute to the most popular president our country ever had. It is specially befitting that South Africa’s capital city bestows this honour on President Mandela who was inaugurated in Pretoria in 1994. I am confident that Pretoria is proud to be associated with this most important event in our history and one of the world’s leading icons in the fight for democracy.” Said Fred Nel.
“It is our responsibility to sustain this image of a democratic South Africa in the spirit that was pioneered by President Mandela by living as true democrats. We need to honour his memory and his massive contribution to nation building as democrats.” Nel concluded.

In a late addition Fred Nel also uttered the DA's shock at the behaviour of SAMWU members during the presentation of the freedom of the city to President Mandela. "The actions by the trade union members was in bad taste and not befitting of what was the honouring of one of South Africa's greatest leaders. Surely the leaders of the trade union knew and was aware of the actions planned at the city hall. They should be held responsible and accountable for their members' behaviour. I also call on SAMWU to apologise for their disrespectful behaviour." said Nel

Issued by Fred Nel, Leader DA Tshwane Caucus
Enquiries: Fred Nel: 0832632427

DA Win Victory on IDP in Tshwane Council

On Thursday 24 April the DA in Tshwane made a proposal about public participation in the Tshwane Council with regards the Tshwane Integrated Development Plan (IDP). The DA had serious concerns about the fact that the public participation on the IDP was poorly executed and that the document was nor freely available.

During the debate DA leader in the Tshwane Council, Fred Nel, spoke in support of an extension of the the public participation period for the IDP. He reiterated that the document was not made freely available and that is was also not put on the agenda during public participation meetings.

Cllr Elmarie Linde from the DA then proposed an amendment to the report suggesting a further extension for the public participation on the Tshwa IDP. The ANC in the council agreed with the DA amendment and the period for public participation was extended to 15 May 2008.

Below are some of the speeches delivered during the debate by DA councillors.

COUNCIL 2008-04-24 ITEM 1 THE DRAFT TSHWANE INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2006-2011

CLR C J NAPIER

Mr Speaker
We have had six years of compiling IDPs and we are still not getting it right. The only real differences between the first draft document we received in 2002 and the one before us is that the present one is a little thinner and also this one still does not focus on the real issues. The present one contains many tables of what we have in terms of water and toilets and so on. My ward 57 committee has over the years made many reasonable inputs to the IDP. In the document before us I see very little of relevance to my ward which I must add is probably one of the most rapidly developing in the Tshwane municipal area. It seems that the ward 57 inputs simply disappear into the big pot. My ward committee would feel happy if they got some sort of feedback in response to the inputs made. All they want are reasons as to why their inputs can or cannot be accommodated.

Mr Speaker – I have had to ask a question in this council as to whether the ward 57 inputs are being considered. After a long wait I received some replies and others I am still waiting for to this day. This is not how the process should work. My ward committee is becoming very dissolutioned. The Municipality calls for people to become involved – for public participation. If people are to become involved and stay involved they must get some feedback otherwise they will simply drift away and distance themselves from political processes. Integrated Development Planning will simply return to what it was – a highly bureaucratic and centralised process – and this is something we do not want. I believe it is time to rethink the whole IDP process.

I thank you.

Honourable Mr Speaker
I comment on the Draft IDP for Tshwane. It is also known as the UDP.
The Unintegrated Development Plan for Tshwane.
An integrated plan is an integrated holistic picture. It is a plan in which the various sections compliment each other, after interaction with each other.
BUT:
There is a lack of interaction of the various departments of the TMMC in the compilation and implementation of this Development Plan. Much more participatory governance and acknowledgement of participation from the local community is necessary to become successful.
What comments have been received from the various mechanisms of the municipality e.g. Ward Committees and have been accommodated in the TIDP tabled today.
The Unintegrated compilation of inputs from the various Departments will once again result in future integrated chaos on our roads and with service delivery. Departments function as islands distantly separated from each other. There is no indication that Land usage, City development and Roads and Storm water interact on the Integrated Development Plan. It is an Unintegrated mismanaged form of governance.
The fact that land use intensification has been allowed to taken place without matching infrastructure development (roads and public transport infrastructure, storm water, sewage disposal, electricity etc) is a major cause for concern for residents.
Over the past few decades money and the interests of property developers have dictated the nature, pace and direction of development in the city. Successive municipal councils have allowed this to happen without providing the infrastructure and services required to support this development. We are concerned that this pattern will continue with this TIDP.
Governance must consolidate the needs of the various departments, wards, developers and communities in an integrated way. Governance should not follow the one sided inputs of developers in an Unintegrated and unplanned way.
Do we hear the tune of: “Money, money, money” instead of “Planning, planning, planning” in the TIDP.
The DA supports the Ward Committees and residents request that:
o The growth problems are correctly analysed in the document so that the correct remedy can be applied: namely to clearly state that infrastructure provision has lagged behind market lead densification and land use intensification.
o The TIDP clearly outlines the principle that land use intensification and infrastructure development should go hand in hand.
o The TIDP gives substance to this principle by proposing a framework on how the various service delivery and planning departments in the CTMM will work together to ensure that spatial development and service delivery is properly coordinated and linked to time frames and budgets
o The TIDP outlines the need for infrastructure expansion to cater for density increases.
Further consultation must take place before the TIDP is approved or, alternatively the TIDP should state that the detailed selection of activity spines and “mixed use” area along these spines should be dealt with as part of the “local precinct plans” provided for in the RSDF. Detail for specific locations should be discussed with local stakeholders and dealt with as part of the precinct plans.
These needs should either be rectified in the TIDP document or be acknowledged in the document with a recommendation on how these shortcomings will be addressed.

I thank you Mr Speaker

Councillor Doulien VdM Snyman
Ward Councillor – Ward 42

Protest About Zimbabwe Friday 25 April

Sandra Botha MP, Parliamentary leader of the DA will hand over a document suggesting solutions on Zimbabwe tomorrow 25 April at 11:00 to the Dept of Foreign Affairs at 101 Hamilton street, Arcadia, Pretoria.

The document to be handed over by Sandra will be a set of proposals for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. These proposals outline a number of concrete steps that can be taken to bring about an almost immediate resolution to the crisis in Zimbabwe. Once this set of proposals have been handed over the Minister of Foreign Affairs will no longer be able to claim that there is no other option to quiet diplomacy to solve the crisis in Zimbabwe.

PLEASE JOIN US THERE!!!!

DA Sê NEE VIR CHIRURG AS ADVISEUR VIR PLEK- EN STRAATNAME

MEDIAVERKLARING DEUR RDL. DANIE ERASMUS, DA WOORDVOERDER OOR OPENBARE PLEK- EN STRAATNAME

20 April 2008. GEEN EMBARGO

Die komitee vir Plek en Straatname het die afgelope Vrydag besluit om ‘n paneel van buite adviseurs aan te stel om soos dit gestel word “die proses van straat naam goedkeuring en die behaling van strategiese doelwitte te bespoedig”.

Dié saak het reeds voor die komitee op 15 Februarie 2008 gedien. Weens ‘n onvolledige verslag en die weglating van kwalifikasies van die kandidate en ‘n aanbeveling wat die DA nie gepas het, dat die komitee geen onderhoude met die kandidate gevoer het m.b.t. kundigheid en kwalifikasies nie.

Toe die ANC besluit het om die saak terug te verwys het die DA versoek om ook die onderhoud sessie by te woon ter wille van goeie regering en deursigtigheid en het versoek dat die aanbeveling heroorweeg word om twee kandidate in te sluit nl. Mnr Sakkie Kotze en prof. Frans-Johan Pretorius. Die besluit was nie vir die ANC aanvaarbaar nie en het ‘n amendement aanvaar dat die voorsitter, rdl. Segabutla sy diskresie kon gebruik om lede van ander partye vir dié doel uit te nooi.

Volgens die verslag is onderhoude met die kandidate op 19 Februarie gevoer sonder dat die voorsitter sy diskresie uitgevoer het. By nadere ondersoek blyk dit dat die kandidate onder die valse indruk gebring is dat hulle reeds aangestel is en dat hulle op 19 Februarie 2008 hulle eerste vergadering bygewoon het.

Die tien kandidate is:
Dr Michiel Durand
Anton Jansen
Dr André Horn
George Khomo
Malaka Mahlatsi
Mpho Mbokazi
Mashite Mogale
Brig. Gen. dr. Johan Pickard
Dr Dioné Prinsloo
Willem Punt

Rdl. Danie Erasmus, die DA woordvoerder oor Openbare Plek- en Straatname het die ANC gekritiseer om sonder ander partye die onderhoude te hou en het aangedui dat die DA nie die kandidate op papier kan beoordeel met weglating van kundigheid en kwalifikasies, soos die aanbeveling gedoen is nie.

Hy het die voorsitter gevra waarom die ANC so gretig is om dr Michiel Durand, ‘n chirurg aan te stel en prof. Frans-Johan Pretorius, ‘n wêreld bekende historikus oor die hoof gesien is. Laasgenoemde is wêreld bekend vir sy navorsing oor Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis en die Engelse oorlog. Hy het vandag (Sondag) deelgeneem aan ‘n uur lange program van die Ierse Nasionale Radio oor die Engelse oorlog. Die feit dat dr. Durand nie eers die moeite gedoen het om die onderhoud / vergadering by te woon nie, dui daarop dat hy òf seker is van dié aanstelling òf dat hy as chirurg te besig is in praktyk en dit reeds die aanduiding is dat hy nie die metro se “proses en behaling van strategiese doelwitte sal bespoedig” nie. Die voorsitter, rdl. Segabutla het hom verweer deur te sê dat hy net dit onder die aandag van kandidate wou bring dat hulle as adviseurs nie vir die taak vergoed sal word nie. Slegs die komitee kan die paneel kan aanstel en elke lid moet daardie voorreg gegun word. Die DA het ‘n voorstel van die VF+ gesekondeer dat Dr Durand met prof Pretorius vervang word. Dié amendement is afgestem en die paneel is aanvaar met teëstem van die DA en ander partye. Dit is jammer dat die wysheid van ‘n historikus moes sneuwel voor die van ‘n chirurg.

“Ek het niks teen dr Durand nie. Hy mag waarskynlik ‘n belangstelling hê in plek- en straatname. Die DA sal onverantwoordelik wees om kandidate goed te keur sonder ‘n onderhoud, volledige verslag van elke kandidaat se kwalifikasies, belangstellings en vorige ondervinding. Ek sou ‘n onreg pleeg teenoor die kiesers van die stad om ‘n chirurg as adviseur vir dié doel aan te stel en dan kundige persone soos prof. Pretorius en mnr. Sakkie Kotze oor die hoof te sien. Al rede waaraan ek kan dink waarom die ANC Durand wil aanstel is om gebiede tans sonder straatname na medici en mediese terme te benoem en sy advies te vra oor Röntgen, Colon, Alzheimer, Pinset, Langerhans, Voltaren, Appendix ens.”, het Erasmus gesê

Rld Danie J. Erasmus
DA woordvoerder: Openbare Plek- en Straatname.
Selfoon: 082 373 7760.