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 The item was withdrawn from the agenda when the DA wanted to discuss the content of the report at the meeting.”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.

SUBSIDISED HOUSES WITHOUT WATER METERS COST TAX PAYERS MILLIONS

MEDIA STATEMENT: COUNCILLOR GERT PRETORIUS, DA SPOKESPERSON FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, TSHWANE. 13 JANUARY 2008.

For almost three years now water connections are made to some houses in the Tshwane metro pole without water meters. Housing departments at the various government levels simply continues with the building of subsidized units and connect these houses without water meters to municipal networks.

At present there are an estimated 15 000 houses in the Tshwane metro pole without water meters or that does not receive municipal accounts for water usage. If 15 000 houses use an average of 20 kl of water a month for which they don’t receive an account, it cost the city council R20. 5 million rand a year.

The DA supports a suggestion that an audit be conducted immediately to determine the magnitude of the problem and that negotiations between the various departments of the provincial and local authorities take place as a matter of urgency.

It is very unfair that the tax payer must boot the bill for poor service delivery.

Enquiries: Clr Gert Pretorius ( 082 552 3590)


MILJOENE OPGEDOK VIR GESUBSIDIEERDE HUISE SONDER WATERMETERS

MEDIAVERKLARING: RAADSLID GERT PRETORIUS, DA WOORDVOERDER VIR OPENBARE WERKE EN INFRASTRUKTUUR, TSHWANE : 13 JANUARIE 2008

Gedurende die afgelope ongeveer drie jaar vind wateraansluitings na sommige huise in Tshwane sonder watermeters na hartelus plaas. Behuisingsdepartemente van die onderskeie regerings gaan doodeenvoudig voort met die bou van gesubsidieerde eenhede en sluit hierdie wonings sonder watermeters by die munisipale netwerke aan.

Na raming is daar tans ongeveer 15,000 wooneenhede in die Tshwane metropool wat geen watermeters het nie of wat ‘n munisipale rekening vir die verbruik van water ontvang nie. Indien 15,000 wooneenhede gemiddeld 20kl water per maand gebruik waarvoor hulle nie ‘n rekening ontvang nie, kos dit die stadsraad R20.5miljoen per jaar.

Die DA steun ‘n voorstel dat daar onmiddelik ‘n oudit uitgevoer moet word om die omvang van die probleem vas te stel en dat samesprekings tussen die verskillende departemente van Provinsiale en Plaaslike owerhede as ‘n saak van dringendheid moet plaasvind.

Die gewone belastingbetaler kan net nie meer die houe vat nie – hulle is al vuisvoos geslaan oor volgehoue swak administrasie.

Navrae: Raadslid Gert Pretorius ( 082 552 3590)

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.

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)

Speeches: Council 28 Aug 08 - Electricity Tariffs

Council meeting: 28 August 2008, Part 1 Item 2

Aanvanklik het Eskom 'n tariefverhoging van 14.2% aangekondig en hierdie Raad (ANC) het hierdie jaar tydens die begrotingsdebat daarmee gespog dat alhoewel Eskom se tariewe met 14.2% styg, Tshwane sy tariewe slegs met 12% met ingang van 1 Julie sal aanpas (glo goeie regering/bestuur).

Later het die NER egter aangekondig dat Eskom se tariewe met 'n verdere 13.3% verhoog gaan word. Hierdie Raad moet nou ‘n verdere verhoging van 14.5% goedkeur. Miskien kon die goeie bestuur dit nie weer reg kry om die voorgestelde verhoging weer met 2.2% te subsdueer nie. Dit sal nou beteken dat Jan Alleman in die Munisipaliteit van Tshwane in hierdie jaar vir ‘n verhoging van 27.5% in elektrisiteitstariewe sal moet opdok.

Ek moet byvoeg dat die Nasionale Elektrisiteits Reguleerder (NER) voorgestel het dat munisipaliteite ‘n totale vehoging van tot 32.6% vehoging in hulle tariewe kon implimenteer. ‘n Mens word sommer weer van vooraf ongelukkig omdat elektrisiteitsverbruikers so ‘n buitensporige verhoging in tariewe moet betaal. Ons as verbruikers in hierdie stad is egter dankbaar dat die raad die impak van die verhogings tot 27.5% kon beperk.

One must also remember that a percentage increase on the wholesale price of electricity will result in a certain increase in the amount of income and if the same percentage increase is applied to the retail price of electricity it will result into a higher increase in the income. It is thus possible for a municipality to implement a lower increase in their tariffs taking into account that the increase is levied on the retail price of electricity.

Die DA is allermins tevrede met die algemene toedrag van sake en ‘n mens kan nie anders om dit weer te noem nie:

Eerstens versaak die Nasionale Regering sy plig om betyds fondse beskikbaar te stel vir bykomende kragsentrales toe die probleem van Eskom se kapasiteit onder sy aandag gebring is. President Mbeki het reeds die misstap erken.

Tweedens agv hierdie "fout" wat deur die regering gemaak is kon die Regering self vir sy fout probeer vergoed het deur aan Eskom, wat sy eie onderneming is, kapitaal te skenk vir Eskom se uitbreidingsprogram en nie te leen nie. Nou moet ons as verbruikers vir swak besluitneming deur die regering vir die terugbetaling van Eskom se lenings instaan. Ons moet ook nie vergeet dat al hierdie teriefverhogings met 14% algemeneverkoopsbelasting belas word en dit ook die regering se koffers bevoordeel. Hoe groter die foute van die regering hoe groter is hul inkomste!

Thirdly: Recent news paper reports stated that ESKOM’s credit rating was negatively influenced with the state of its affairs. This in fact means that ESKOM will now pay higher interest rates on its loans. This in turn again could affect further increases in ESKOM rates. When will we as consumers stop paying for the mistakes of the ruling party?

If a business like ESKOM, is managed in the way it was managed over the past couple of years and it was faced with competition in the private sector, ESKOM would have been history!

Verder het Eskom se betuur gruwelik misluk met die normale instandhouding van die kragsentrales; praat nie eers oor die fiasko met die geredelike beskikbaarheid van kole nie asook al die bonusse wat Eskom se topbestuur ontvang het. Behalwe vir al die kragonderbrekings wat uiters nadelig vir die sakesektor is en ook ons land se ekonomie in die algemeen wat daardeur oneindig skade gelei het, word die verbruiker nou met al hierdie probleme opgesaal. 'n Mens kan jouself die vraag afvra of dit regverdig is en of so 'n regering verdien om aan bewind te wees.

Die Raad se twee kragsentrales sal vir die afsienbare toekoms sover moontlik teen volle kapasiteit moet loop om te help met "Loadshedding". Hoe meer krag ons kan opwek hoe minder sal die stad deur "Loadshedding" beinvloed word en hoe minder sal ons verbruikers geraak word. Daar moet egter ingedagte gehou word dat die opwekking van ons eie krag relatief duur is. Ek glo egter dat die 27.5% verhoging in tariewe hiervoor sal kan instaan.
Die feit dat ons vir die afsienbare toekoms baie meer vir krag sal moet betaal, is 'n voldwonge feit en ons sal maar na alternatiewe bronne van energie moet kyk.

Ek het by my huis 'n sonverhitte warmwaterstelsel laat installeer om die impak van die komende verhogings aan die een kant te elemineer maar ook aan die anderkant om my bydrae te maak om minder energie van Eskom te verbruik.

Raadsheer Gert Pretorius
DA Woordvoerder vir Energie en Elektrisiteit
Munisipaliteit van Tshwane
082 552 3590

Raadsvergadering: 28 Augustus 2008, Gedeelte 1 – Item 2

Mnr Die Speaker

Hoekom is die DA bekommerd dat die voorgestelde tariefverhogings verreikende gevolge vir die Raad se kontantvloei gaan he . Ek wil die stelling motiveer met die volgende voor die hand liggende redes
- `n Beduidende verhoging in die Raad se uitstaande debiteure , met `n saldo wat alreeds meer as R2,6 biljoen beloop, en die aantal volopbetaalde aktiewe rekeninge wat slegs 40% van die totale aantal rekeninge uitmaak – dus klaar nie `n goeie rekord is nie
- Met `n reeds bestaande kultuur van wanbetaling, onwettige aansluitings wat nie gekontroleer word nie,kabeldiefstal ens verloor ons verder miljoene rande waar die kostes net goedsmoeds na die verbruiker deurgegee word. NERSA behoort dit dringend te oorweeg om `n prominente veldtog te loods met groot strawwe vir oortreders en belonings aan Eskom en munisipaliteite
- Die Raad se finansiele en noodwendig sy sosio-ekonomiese volhoubaarheid kan nadelig hierdeur geraak word
- Die huidige vlak van inflasie en daarmee gepaardgaande verlaging in ekonomiese groei , beteken alreeds dat verbruikers gebuk gaan onder die eskalerende voedsel en brandstofpryse, hoe gaan hulle die verhoging oorleef. Selfs die minder gegoede verbruikers gaan `n ekstra 2,2% moet opdok
- Die Raad se 2 kragstasies sal tot hul maksimum kapasiteit benut moet word, en dit sal lei tot verhoogde steenkool aankope, en addisionele personeelaanstellings om die werk te doen.

Wat beplan Eskom vir die toekoms, en wat is die kans dat die man op straat se grondwetlike regte en sy sak verder aangetas gaan word deur ondeurdagte en onbevoegde besluite en finansiele wanbestuur van sy leiers, Die regering het tydens die jaarlikse begrotingstoespraak R60b aan Eskom beloof, maar voer Eskom aan dat die vereiste 60% verhoging nodig is om `n voordelige kredietgradering te handhaaf, wat hulle dan in staat sal stel om hul kapitale uitbreidingsprogram te befonds deur buitelandse lenings . Standard en Poor het Eskom intussen onder voltydse krediet monitering geplaas, en sal Eskom dus `n Investment Grade- gradering moet kry as hy befondsing deur wereldmarkte wil verseker,

Met die versnelde ekonomiese groei wat Tshwane beleef, sal die Raad gedwing word om onmiddellik `n ooreenkoms met die CEF –Central Energy Funding aan te gaan, sodat volhoubare energiebesparings en DSM (Demand Side Management) projekte geidentifiseer, ontwikkel en geimplimenteer kan word, met befondsing (grants) deur die CEF

Dankie Mnr Die Speaker

Raadslid Adriana Randall
DA Lid – Finansiele Portefulje
083 263 8667

Speeches: Council 28 Aug 08 - Public Participation

COUNCIL 28 AUGUST 2008 CLIVE NAPIER
PART 1 ITEM 3 IDP PROCESS PLAN AND BUDGET SCHEDULE FOR 2009/2010

Mr Speaker – since the time I was first elected to sit in this chamber, I have spoken on several occasions on the chaos around the IDP and budgeting process. Much of what I am going to say now I have said before. I will not repeat what one of my colleagues on this side of the chamber has/will say about public participation and the IDP.
Public participation is supposed to be an integral part of the IDP formulation process. Public participation just does not happen to any significant extent. There are in my view several reasons for this.
First. Communication from the Speaker’s office is poor. Very little warning if any, and short time periods are allocated to making inputs into the IDP process.
Secondly, no feedback is received by those who make inputs. My ward 57 committee has made inputs over several years including many reasonable and essential requests like for example, the need for additional toilet facilities in the ward or additional street lights or road upgrading. One never get a response except by way of a formal question in council to the mayor and then the responses are not very satisfactory.
Thirdly, there is no mention in this item of the role of ward committees in the IDP and budgeting process, although this is supposed to be one of the important functions of ward committees as forums for public participation. The ward committee elections which have recently taken place seem to me to be a charade – they take place simply because the law permits the establishment of ward committees – they are not taken seriously by this council or the officials involved in policy execution.
From my experience – the IDP formulation process has not improved. What should be done? Perhaps the process itself should be subjected to a thorough public participation process.
Further, the public should be given the necessary information to decide on what is needed and what the priorities should be in their respective wards – like the capacities of infrastructure like water pipelines and electricity infrastructure which are not always known to the ordinary resident so that such requirements can be prioritised.
Finally, ward committees in particular, should be given proper feedback within a certain period of time on their IDP inputs and further ward committees must be given fair warning of the need to make inputs into the IDP.
Mr Speaker – to improve the IDP process , I would like to request that at a minimum, an inclusion be made administratively in Annexures A and B in which reference is made to the role of ward committees in the IDP process.
I thank you.
Annexure A. Item 9. Progress report on reviewing and rationalization of by-laws.
This is a confusing report. How can a by-law for example - the one on ‘Keeping of animals, birds and poultry’ have been promulgated and effective when further down on the page it is stated that this particular by-law is still ‘under public participation’? It makes no sense to me. There are other similar instances.
There are other instances where the revision of by-laws have taken too long to materialize. More than two years back, a portfolio committee began the process of reviewing the Building control by-law which I assume is subsumed item (a) being a supplement to the National Building Regulations. Likewise that on the control of informal settlements. When are these by-laws going to be finalized? These are critical matters affecting many people. I must ask – why are they not being referred to the City Planning, Development and Regional Services Portfolio Committee for consideration? They are surely extremely relevant to that portfolio? The process to be followed in finalizing by-laws leaves a lot to be desired. This is a poorly drafted report.

Thank you.
Dr Clive Napier ( 082 827 5578)

Speech by Cllr Casper MacDonald

Baie dankie vir die geleentheid om die Raad toe te spreek.
Chapter 4 of the Municipal Management Act of 2000 paragraph 16.(1) and others states clearly that a municipality must encourage and create conditions for the public to participate in municipal affairs.
The Act states further that the public should participate in the preparations of the budget (IDP process).
Die wet stel dit ook dat die munisipaliteit die publiek se kapasitiet moet bou om aan die sake van die Raad deel te neem deur meganismes prosesse en prosedures daar te stel wat die gemeenskap sal bemagtig om aan die publieke deelname prosesse deel te neem.
Die wet verplig die Raad om die publiek betyds van die publieke deelname geleenthede te verwittig en dat die Raad aan die publiek terugvoering moet gee.

Hierdie verslag sêt die volgende oor publieke deelname prosses, en ek haal aan”it is a program of action which guides the IDP of the City of Tshwane and enables proactive participation, cooperation and integration of role players of which residents is one. And on page 54 of the report it is stated that, as stipulated in the MSA, the IDP process should provide for the PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

Mr Speaker how does the ANC deal with the public in Tshwane? This Council disregard its residents and deals with public participation in the most disgusting manner thinkable. The public participation session in Centurion regarding the budget did not even take place. We are still waiting for the officials to set a new date. More important, up to today, nobody rendered any reason why they did not honoured their appointment with Centurion residents.
Het die inwoners die geleentheid gehad om proaktief aan die begrotings en IDP prosessse deel te neem. Mnr die Speaker weet die ANC wat pro aktief beteken? Dit beteken voordat ‘n besluit geneem word moet die inwoners die geleentheid kry om hulle insette te lewer. Pro aktiewe deelname skep darem die indruk dat die insette oorweeg gaan word. In die proses wat hier uiteen gesit is, is dit weereens duidelik dat die IDP opgestel en goedgekeur gaan word en dan aan publieke deelname ondrewerp gaan word. Net soos met die jaar se begroting gaan daar weer nie ‘n behoorlike publieke deelname proses wees wat aan al die wetlike vereistes gaan voldoen word nie.
Mr Speaker the question to be asked is whether there is sufficient time to adjust the IDP after the public participation? Anybody with half a brain cell will know the answer.
Meneer die inwoners van Centurion wil weet wat van hulle dienste gelde word? Hulle dra mildelik by tot die finansiele koffers van die Raad. Hoekom het die Burgemeesters komitee nie die tyd of wil om die inwoners ook toe te spreek nie? Hoekom weier die Burgemeesters komitee om verantwoording te doen en terugvoering te gee ivm die prioritisering en spandering van fondse nie. U kan tog seker nie soveel vertroue in die DA hê dat u verwag dat ons aan hulle gaan verduidelik dat u op verantwoordelike wyse die Raad se finansies bestuur nie? Of weet u dat u,u gaan vasloop teen kundigheid wat nie alles wat u gaan sê vir soet koek gaan opeet nie. Of is dit ‘n geval dat u nie die vermoeë het om ingeligte inwoners met u antwoorde gerus te stel nie.

Die afgelope 3 jaar se IDP proses het groot dele van die Stad elke keer verby gegaan. Hierdie een gaan geen uitsondering wees nie..
What kind of logic was followed to in determining the process table of the IDP? How and what information was used to compile the MTREF (three year strategic agenda)? Did you take any inputs from residents into consideration? What is the use of a public participation process at the end of an 8 month IDP cycle? Will council be able to make the necessary changes to the IDP if residents input require it in March2009? Will u and is it possible to change an 8 month process in March 2009, as indicated in the process plan. Will council really change the budget in March, taking into consideration that the mayoral committee will approve the IDP on a special meeting to be held on 13 May and Council to approve the IDP ON 28 May 2009. It should be stressed that according to all relevant legislation the IDP have to influence the budget. Legislation requires that the budget have to be approved 30 days before the new financial year. How on earth do you expect us to believe that this is possible?
Maybe this is one of the many reasons why the finances of the City are in such a mess.
Speaker dit is uit die verslag baie duidelik dat die inwoners weereens aan ‘n nikssegende publieke deelname proses gaan deelneem. ‘n Proses wat geen doel het nie en wat slegs oë verblindery is. As u dink dat ons nie deur u veragtelike optrede sien nie, dink weer. Die opmerking is al baie hier gemaak dat ons die ANC net kritiseer. Wel Speaker as u ons en ons kiesers op so ‘n minagtende wyse behandel kan u eintlik lojalitiet of erkening verwag nie.

Dankie

Raadslid Casper Mc Donald
Wyk 64
Deel 1 item 3

PART 1: FROM THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEETING: 23 JULY 2008
REPORT ON THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS ON THE DECLARATION OF CERTAIN STREETS AND AREAS AS RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED FOR TRADING

Mr, Speaker,

It is with great appreciation that we, the DA and members of Ward 50, have noted that the Tshwane Metro has decided that hawkers will not be permitted to trade in Zambezi Drive, Braam Pretorius, Linveldt, Lavender Roads and all demarcated areas / streets in Tshwane. Furthermore, they have decided to train the hawkers in business principles and allocate them to specific areas outside the above mentioned roads. This will also protect them from being injured by the traffic when doing business in busy streets like Zambezi Drive. This will have a positive effect on the hawkers Mr. Speaker.

This decision and the implementation of restricted trading areas / streets, will have a positive influence on the flow of traffic in our busy area and that it will also lead to a decrease in crime in our area. The residents will react positively to this decision of the Tshwane Metro as they are in favor thereof and requested such steps to be taken. Hopefully Mr Speaker, the same restrictions will apply to illegal businesses on residential stands and sidewalks and areas as restricted for trading in Tshwane.

Mr. Speaker, residents and persons driving in our area are requested not to support hawkers doing business in these prohibited roads and also to report them to the Metro Police. I am happy that the Metro Police support this cause. We sincerely trust that the Metro Police will enforce these bylaws and decision by the Tshwane Metro to the advantage of everybody, and to deal with the negative elements like hawkers and traders amongst themselves.

Mr. Speaker, urgent attention and completion of the Wonderboom Station and Taxi Rank will also be a solution for the hawkers to do business in a controlled manner, in new stalls and proper public toilets.

Mr. Speaker, the community makes uses of these hawkers, legally or illegally, which means, Mr. Speaker that a need does exist, but it needs to be exercised in an orderly, controlled fashion.

Mr. Speaker, our request is that there be looked at other urgent matters such as traffic dangers and unhygienic conditions and to implement the needed dustbins in the needed areas.

Cllr. B.J Wannenburg
Ward 50

Speech: Council 28 aug 08 - Bus Rapid Transport

Annexure A.1 : Items 9 and 10 – Bus Rapid Transit Operation Plan and Atterbury Road Bridge

Mr Speaker

As Council knows, the proposed BRT system holds a number of advantages over traditional bus networks and the project has received consistent support from this side of the Chamber. Nevertheless, as the report says, it is a “very complex, time-consuming and expensive project”.

So much so, mr Speaker, that we once more have to urge speed on the municipal departments responsible ; there is general skepticism about even Line 1 being operational in 22 months’ time, when the SWC begins. These doubts have been reinforced by statements from the taxi operators here and elsewhere in the country, that they have not reached agreement with BRT operators on routes and other issues. The same caution applies to the Gautrain feeder systems, where the operators cannot as yet tell us what the arrangements are.

The other element of concern in the report is the reference to “integration of the Tshwane Bus Services“ with the BRT network. Sir, I am not certain what is being referred to here, as the inner-city bus service known to me is the Pretoria City Transport, which is in such disarray that a motion has been submitted to this meeting for later discussion. It does not help much to postulate a role for a transport operator which, at best, will have to be radically overhauled.

The widening of the Atterbury Road bridge to accommodate the BTR lane is a welcome piece of far-sighted planning ; the only question is – when will it actually be used?

Councillor Justus de Goede
Democratic Alliance
Tshwane Metro Municipal Council
Cell : 083 733 2557

Speech: Council 28 Aug 08 - Automotive Supplier Park

SPEECH ON ITEM 4 OF PART 1 OF COUNCIL AGENDA OF TSHWANE METRO COUNCIL ON 28 AUGUST 2008

COUNCILLOR JOHN BARENDRECHT WARD 4

I shall start in English and finish in Afrikaans

I welcome this item and can support its recommendations on pages 74-75, with the exception of recommendations 10 and 11. I think 10 should refer to rec. 11 below and the amendment should relate to the Akasia-Soshanguve town planning scheme of 1996 or the new Tshwane Town Planning scheme. These recommendations should be rectified before Council can adopt them.

I also have a problem with paragraph 5.11 on page 73 of the report. Since 1 March 2006 I have been the ward councillor for ward 4 and my comments should have been included. Whether ex-councillor Mathibe has no objection to the sale is of less concern. I have here copies of correspondence with City Planning department where I communicated on this matter on 17 and 31 May 2006.

I urge officials to please communicate with the correct and existing councillor on reports so that valid inputs could be obtained. At the top of this report on page 64 is the name and contact number of the author of this report. I have phoned this number more than once, but could not get clarity on why I was not contacted. If this happened to me it could happen to any ward councillor.

What perturbs me more is the fact that on 31 May 2006, I indicated that the streets could be closed, and now only on 28 August 2008 is a report before Council for them to be sold and closed. On page 67 of the report the SPDC refers to “development ready” land, which are important in the automotive supplier business. This Automotive Supplier Park is a Blue IQ project of Gauteng Provincial Government.
In terms of co-operative developmental government, why did it take the Tshwane Metro so long to assist in realising objectives of Gauteng Province?

The same applies to the erven of Phase 4 which is the second element of the report. On page 68 SPDC refers to a lead time of 30 months! One realises that the leasing of properties of the Tshwane Metro is preferred to the outright sale as the land belongs to the people. But a delay of 30 months in a Blue IQ project is undermining the economic growth, job creation and creation of a better life for all! We all know that we have an economic downswing and projects like these are needed for economic growth.

Please officials and fellow councillors we have an obligation to our business sector and our community to expedite projects of this magnitude. We cannot be hampering developments like these , but should be a willing and helpful partner.

Lastly I would like to refer to a worrying aspect in the assistance to the motor industry by the Tshwane Metro, which came to the fore in our last Portfolio Committee on Economic Development. There appear to be cases where assistance to the motor industry was approved by Council, spearheaded by the Economic Development Division, which are then not implemented by officials in other departments. This is totally unacceptable in terms of service delivery!
Council resolutions must be implemented by officials especially if economic growth depends on their implementation.

Baie welkom aan al die nuwe voertuigindustrieë wat besluit om Rosslyn, Wyk 4 en die Tshwane Metro hulle tuiste te maak. Ons sal julle graag welkom laat voel deur meer doeltreffende dienslewering in die toekoms.

Dankie, mnr. die Speaker

Speech: Council 28 Aug 08 - Financial Report

COUNCIL MEETING: 28 AUGUST 2008: ANNEXURE “A”
ITEM 10: CORPORATE MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 APRIL 2008, pp 53 – 55

Mr. Speaker

(1) Once again, the Council is supplied with a Report, called a “comprehensive financial overview”, whereas the Report is a far cry from “comprehensive”. The Report is cryptic, incomplete and it does not according to Section 71 of the Municipal Finance Management Act [MFMA] highlight the corporate financial performance of the municipality, as well as certain important financial ratios reflecting the financial soundness of the municipality
(2) The Report refers to paragraphs 6.1, 6.3, 7 and 8.3 for further detailed explanations and information, but no such paragraphs are provided
(3) The Mayoral committee resolved, inter alia, to take “cognisance” of the financial results and that the Municipal Manager ensures that all Heads of Departments take the necessary corrective measures to make certain that all budgeted operating revenue is recovered, that operating expenditure is managed to prevent over expenditure/unauthorised expenditure, and that capital expenditure plans are effectively and efficiently executed
(4) Departments’ responsibility in terms of the MFMA is to provide reasons for variances for expenditure and corrective measures to be implemented. To ensure compliance, this information is requested each month from all Departments, but the example set by the Department of the Office of the Executive Mayor and the Municipal Manager is a symptom of the poor management and control that exist in the Municipality. During the ten months ended 30 April 2008 this Department responded twice, but for the other eight months there was no feedback. I beg the question whether the Executive Mayor and the Municipal Manager are above the law?
(5) The pro-rata under-collected Operating and Revenue for the period is R463 million of which the amount for service charges is R196 million due to under collection and non-billing, presenting a sterling example of the lack of management and control
(6) Crime reigns Tshwane, yet R30 million during this period is under spent on Community Safety. The amount under spent on Roads and Stormwater is R108 million and it is therefore no wonder that residents have to buy 4-wheel vehicles and in so many wards the infrastructure cannot cope with raw sewerage
(7) During the 10 months only 51% of the Capital Expenditure has been spent. It is not surprising that stockpiling takes place during the month of June. Why are there so little or no corrective measures for Departments in order to achieve their service delivery expenditure targets during the year?
(8) Consumer Debtors owe R2,8 billion at 30 April 2008 of which amount Debtors older than 90 days comprises R2 million. Not surprising: I have personally dealt with Debtors accounts owing R11 000, R13 000, R19 000, R26 000 and last month with an account of R88 000. I took a copy of this account to the Municipal Manger, but he, as the Accounting Officer, told me to write to the Executive Mayor. This I did and had to deliver it by hand to the Mayor’s Office and let them sign for the letter that I wrote and a copy of the account; otherwise in my experience such information usually simply disappears at the Municipality. It is the legal responsibility of the Municipality to ensure that payment is received for services rendered. Why do we have Debtors collection rules and by-laws as these are merely ignored in many cases? What happened to cut-off procedures when services supplied are not paid for? Management and Internal Control are totally inadequate and inferior. ANC, you are in a position of trust of public funds and responsible to the residents
(9) This Report should really be referred back for adjustment as it is a defamation of the concept of a “comprehensive financial overview” as claimed

(Prof) Hein Redelinghuys
DA Spokesperson for Finances
TSHWANE
28 August 2008.

Speech: Council 28 Aug - Mabopane Station Report

COUNCIL MEETING 28 August 2008
Item 13 of the main agenda & Item 5 of Annexure A
Expansion of City Shopping Complex and Urban Design Framework, Mabopane Station

Speech by Councillor Peter Millar (DA), ward 41.
Member of the Portfolio Committee, City Planning and Regional Development.

In all the years that I have been in this Council, many reports have been submitted that contain wonderful ideas.

So many of them remain just good ideas. In spite of all the hype, promises and expectations, they are never implemented. They lie on some musty, dusty shelf and will probably be destroyed when and if Munitoria is every imploded. The rebuilding of Munitoria is another example of good ideas still waiting to happen.

Much effort and time has been put into the framework for the Mabopane Station and not without good cause. Further development and upgrading of this area has become necessary for upliftment of the region.

There is so much more potential there and this has been spotted by the Council, Intersite, Metrorail, the owners of Central City shopping centre and the entrepreneurs making a living in the precincts and surrounding areas of the station.

Central City shopping centre its self is an amazing place. It looks good; it’s clean, well maintained and thriving. This proves there is a demand for this type of facility in spite of all we have been told that this would never work. It can compete with the best shopping centres in more affluent areas of our City and the rest of the country. There is a good mix of tenants from small boutiques to national chain stores, banks and various service providers. Therefore, it is a good idea to encourage Central City to expand and for the Council to sell them the extra land required.

Intersite, the property subsidiary of Transnet, has committed its self to large and expensive extensions and renovations to the station. They will be providing much better facilities for train passengers and hawkers.

While Central City and Intersite are doing such a good job, the Council must not forget its responsibility.

Over and above building all the new services, roads, taxi ranks, etc., the Council must make sure that proper maintenance is done and that sufficient money is allocated in the budget for this in the future. All too often, Council facilities fall into disrepair very quickly due to lack of maintenance and management. The excuse is always the lack of provision in the budget.

Another good idea that never seems to be implemented is a ring fence budget. It is time to implement this other good idea and give the development a further boost. It will ensure money for maintenance into the future.

Also, hawkers must be pressured to keep their areas clean and tidy. They must not block walkways and the free flow of pedestrians and train passengers.

Further, taxis must learn to use the expensive facilities provided for them correctly. They must realise for once and for all that they are not a law unto themselves. Strict law enforcement will have to be implemented to make sure the area does not degenerate into a messy free-for-all, as so often happens.

Let us get on with this development as quickly as possible now. Let it not become just a good idea that has been forgotten about and end up on a dusty, musty shelf.

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

Speech: Council 28 Aug - Alternative Service Delivery

City of Tshwane Metro Raadsvergadering op 28 Augustus 2008 om 10h00.

Meneer die Speaker ek wil graag reageer op Annexure A. punte 2, 3, en 4 van die Burgemeesters Komitee verslag.

Ek begin by punt 2 wat handel oor die sogenaamde ASD poste vir personeel strukture in die Raad. Meneer hierdie ASD poste strukture is ‘n euwel en niks anders as ‘n geleentheid vir die ANC om van ou bekwame en ervare personeel in die Raad ontslae te raak sodat hulle, hul eie valse politieke agendas kan gebruik om regstellende aksie toe te pas.
Daar word gevoelloos, mense van buite oor ervare aptenare aangestel wat nie die werk kan doen nie en om daardie rede dat ons Raad se lewering van dienste so agter uit gaan.
Menneer van die 24 top bestuurs poste van die verlede is daar sover slegs 11 oor en dan nie te praat van alle ander senior poste nie. In my eie portefuelje sit ek hier met ‘n elle lang lys van amptenare wat of gedemoveer is na minderwaardige poste (selfs na buite hulle departemente verplaas is) of word dan so gedwing deur onbevoegde nuwe senior amptenare wat hulle self minderwaardig voel en dit dan moeilik maak vir die ou bekwame amptenaar om nog aan te bly en dan eerder bedank.
Meneer die Speaker dit maak nie saak hoeveel veranderings ons aan hierdie stelsel aanbring nie dit sal op die ou eiende die ANC se kop op ‘n skinkbord eis.

Punt 3 Meneer handel oor die ontwikkelings strategie beleid vir sport in ons Metro. Ek dink ons is ander Metros ver voor en kan die Minister van sport gerus in Tshwane kom kyk hoe om sport ontwikkeling en transformasie te bevorder. Sport behoort met die hulp van plaaslike regerings met die daar stel van sportfasiliteite en ontwikkelings programme in samewerking met die sport kodes onwikkelings te doen.
Die ANC Regering moet eerder sportfasiliteite en plaaslike regerings deelname aanmoedig as om die sport met politieke agendas te wil regeer. Daarom is dit nie snaaks dat ons die swakste in die geskiedenis gevaar het by die Olympiese spele in Beijing nie met slegs een silver medalje, selfs swakker as Zimbabwe met vyf medaljes wat op hierdie stadium geen Regering het nie !
“ Politieke inmenging in spankeuses,afrigters en spanbestuurders stel meriete onderhewig aan regstellende aksie in bykans elke Olympiese sport soort “ hierdie stelling is gemaak in Sondag se Rapport deur ‘n Olympiese sport skrywer.
Ons sport mense se altyd jy torring of verander nie aan‘n wenspan nie en daarom weet ons ook dat met die politieke aanstelling van die derde beste Rugby afrigter vir ons Wereldkampioene ons nou maar ook tevrede sal moet wees met die derde plek in Wereld rugby.

Meneer die Speaker punt 4 handel oor die Raad se deelname aan ons gedenk dae wat elke jaar gevier word.
Ons het voorheen al in hierdie Raad gese dat die aard van programme van al hierdie dae is niks anders as ANC rallies nie en mors die ANC miljoene Rande van die belastingbetallers se geld om mense met 50 busse aan te ry om te kom eet en drink en na ‘n program kyk wat net vir een kultuur groep is, sodat hulle daarna ook na die ANC sprekers kan luister.
Meneer die Speaker ons wonder of dit nie dalk beter sou wees om net elke vyf jaar so ‘n gedenkdag viering te hou nie en eerder die ander ander vier jaar se miljoene Rande gebruik vir behuising, klinieke en sorgeenhede vir ons armes en bejaardes nie ! Wanneer gaan ons almal eendag in Suid Afrika kan tuisvoel om as een nasie ons demokrasie te kan vier ?

Ek dank u,

Raadslid Johan Welmans
DA Sportwoordvoerder Tshwane Koukus
Sel : 0726179197

Call for Urgent Business Environment Survey for Tshwane City Council

MEDIA RELEASE BY COUNCILLOR ADRIANA RANDALL: DA TSHWANE CAUCUS, 22 AUGUST 2008

The present flight of skills experienced at the Tshwane City Council threatens to paralyze effective service delivery in Pretoria.
It is of utmost importance to establish the reasons why the working environment at the council appears not to be conducive for motivated and productive working performances.

The Democratic Alliance calls on the City Council to commission an independent working environment survey to ascertain the morale, or lack thereof, of employees and to establish what factors are contributing to the spate of resignations experienced at present.

“Human resources are the council’s most precious asset. Without the human factor, no system, even if supported by the most advanced technology, can be of any use. Retaining skilled and loyal employees is a non- negotiable.” said Councillor Adriana Randall.

Racism, nepotism, poor management in general, the manner in which the Alternative Service Structure (ASD) is implemented and inadequate travelling allowances, to mention a few, are cited as possible reasons for widespread negativity among personnel.

In the light of the present exodus at the Council it is clear that time is not on our side. We need to get to bottom of this as soon as possible. An appeal is consequently made to Council to commission a survey without delay.

The DA questions the ANC-lead Council’s commitment to the “Batho Pele’ principles, which are supposed to inspire employer and employee alike. Without the political will and commitment noble ideas remain elusive dreams.

On the one hand, it is only fair to all employees to ensure positive working conditions which will benefit their performance and output. On the other, residents and tax payers of the city deserve no less than effective service delivery.

Councillor Adriana Randall (083 263 8667)

MEDIA VERKLARING DEUR RAADSLID ADRIANA RANDALL: DA TSHWANE KOUKUS, 22 AUGUSTUS 2008

Oproep om ‘n dringende besigheid omgewingsopname by die Tshwane stadsraad

Die huidige uittog van kundigheid by die Tshwane stadsraad dreig om effektiewe dienslewering in Pretoria lam te lê. Dit is uiters noodsaaklik om vas te stel waarom die werksomgewing by die raad nie bevorderlik blyk te wees vir gemotiveerde en produktiewe werksprestasie nie.

Die Demokratiese Alliansie doen ‘n oproep op die stadsraad om ‘n onafhanklike werksomgewing opname uit te voer om die moraal, of gebrek daaraan, onder werknemers te bepaal en vas te stel wat aanleiding gee tot die huidige vlaag van bedankings by die stadsraad.

“Menslike hulpbronne is die raad se belangrikste bate. Sonder die menslike faktor kan geen sisteem, selfs al word dit ondersteun deur gevorderde tegnologie, van enige nut wees nie. Die behoud van kundige en lojale werknemers is ononderhandelbaar.” het raadslid Adriana Randall gesê.

Rassisme, nepotisme, swak bestuur in die algemeen, die wyse hoe die Alternatiewe Dienste Struktuur (ADS) geimplimenteer word en ontoereikende reistoelaes, om net enkele voorbeelde te noem, word as moontlike redes aangedui vir die wydverspreide negatiwiteit onder die personeel.

Teen die agtergrond van die huidige eksodus by die stadsraad is dit duidelik dat tyd nie aan ons kant is nie. Ons moet so gou moontlik by die kern van die probleem uitkom. ‘n Oproep word dus op die raad gemaak om ‘n onafhanklike opname sonder verwyl uit te voer.

Die DA bevraagteken die ANC beheerde raad se verbintenis tot die ‘Batho Pele’ beginsels, wat veronderstel is om beide werkgewer en werknemer te inspireer. Sonder die politieke wil bly edel idees ‘n mens ontwyk.

Enersyds is dit regverdig teenoor werknemers om positiewe werkstoestande te verseker wat hul prestasie en uitsette ondersteun. Andersyds is die inwoners en belastingbetalers van die stad geregtig op effektiewe dienslewering.
Raadslid Adriana Randall ( 083 263 8667)

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 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)

Tshwane Council Meeting 31 July - Corporate Services

DA rejects proposed municipal travel policy

Media release: Councillor Justus de Goede, DA, Tshwane. 31 July 2008

A proposal by the Mayoral Committee of the Tshwane Metro Municipality, tabled at the Council meeting of 31 July, was flatly rejected by the Democratic Alliance.

The agenda item outlined a proposed new travel and subsistence policy for the city’s public representatives and officials. Councillor Justus de Goede of the DA described the proposed policy as “provocative and unacceptable, as it proposes inter alia that the Mayor, Speaker, Chief Whip and Municipal Manager qualify for first class international air travel.

“In the current economic climate, given the state of the city’s finances and the fact that only cabinet ministers and heads of government departments in exceptional circumstances may travel first class, this is a major lapse of judgement. In addition, the proposed policy makes allowance for the partners of full-time public representatives, which includes Mayoral Committee members, to take their partners with them overseas, also in first class. Again, this is not government policy.”

De Goede added that the DA had requested that the “insensitive” proposals be reconsidered ; the DA had registered its objection against the item.

Clr Justus de Goede
Cell : 083 733 2557

DA verwerp voorgestelde reisbeleid

Media verklaring: Raadslid Justus de Goede, DA , Tshwane, 31 Julie 2008

‘n Voorstel van die Burgemeesterskomitee van die Tshwane Metro Munisipaliteit, wat gedien het by die Raadsvergadering van 31 Julie en waarin ‘n nuwe reis- en verblybeleid vir die stad se openbare verteenwoordigers en amptenare voorgestel word, is summier van die hand gewys deur die Demokratiese Alliansie.

Die agenda item verduidelik ‘n voorgestelde nuwe reis- en verblyf beleid vir die stad se openbare verteenwoordigers en amptenare. Raadslid Justus de Goede het die voorgestelde beleid beskryf as “ uitlokkend en onaanvaarbaar, aangesien daar inter alia voorgestel word dat die Burgemeester, Speaker, Hoofsweep en Munisipale Bestuurder kwalifiseer vir eersteklas vliegtuigkaartjies vir buitelandse besoeke.

“In die heersende ekonomiese klimaat en in die lig van die stad se finansiële toestand, sowel as die feit dat slegs kabinetsministers en departementshoofde, in buitengewone gevalle, toegelaat word om eersteklas internasionaal te vlieg, is dit duidelik dat hierdie voorstelle gebaseer is op besondere swak oordeel. Wat meer is, word verder voorgestel dat voltydse openbare verteenwoordigers, wat lede van die Burgemeesterskomitee insluit, ook hul metgeselle mag saamneem op buitelandse besoeke, ook eersteklas. Dit is eenvoudig nie in lyn met regeringsbeleid nie”.

De Goede voeg by dat die DA versoek het dat hierdie “onsensitiewe” voorstelle heroorweeg word. Die Party het sy beswaar teen die item aangeteken.

Raadslid Justus de Goede
Sel 083 733 2557

PART II, ITEM 9
CORPORATE AND SHARED SERVICES DEPARTMENT: STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
FY2006/2007 INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW: PERFORMANCE BONUS PHASE 1 CLOSURE REPORT
(PAGES 344-407 (358)


The first question that comes to mind when seeing this report is why it took council more than 12 months to come with said report! According to the legal binding employment contracts with officials and former officials, it clearly states that “Council should execute payment of a performance bonus 6 weeks after the assessment process has started”. This should therefore have been six weeks since end June 2007. This process only started in October 2007!

Can this lack of execution of audit function in the city not be seen as fruitless and wasteful expenditure when officials and unions take legal action against council for not honoring their side of the contracts? This could be reiterated by the fact that said officials and former officials did not receive any explanation as to the reason(s) for the delay or a timeframe for the conclusion of this issue!

The second issue that can be seen from this document, is that 11 of the 24 candidates are today no longer in the employment of the council! All 11 former officials received between 92% and 100% on their scores! As can be seen on page 348 under Category 1c, all except one is still with council! This is nearly half of senior officials in council! I am also aware of at least one of these candidates that received a score of more than 90% in this report, still in the employ of council that received an astonishing demotion to a position of no title! What does this say about the performance plans, score cards and performance agreements? We seriously need to look at it!

Well done to the City Manager and the Mayor! This must be the greatest example of how not to run a city! Either you have no use for officials that do the job well, or you do not want officials that know how to do the job! Either way, the little bit of expertise and experience that were still available to council and therefore to the benefit of the residents, are now lost to us. What or rather who are we left with?

The fact that the most resent Chief of Metro Police, Hlula Msimang received a score of 93% and the fact that his contract only expires in 2010 should state the obvious that with such a score and a contract, he could still try to make a success of the Metro Police and therefore the Safety Department. But no, the Municipal Manager and the Mayor decided we should rather terminate his contract with a probable big handshake to go with that, and re-employ the most controversial official this council ever had in his place!

It is time this council and the Mayor start to explain their decisions, because, believe it or not, this kind of behaviour does not make sense to anyone who believes in a fair, just and accountable governed city council!

Therefore the Democratic Alliance wishes to add a new recommendation, which reads as follows:

Add recommendation 10:

“ That a report be submitted to the next Council meeting containing copies of performance contracts of the City Manager and all Section 57 employees.”

COMPILED BY:
CLR KAREN MEYER
DA SPOKESPERSON: COMMUNITY SAFETY
TSHWANE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
(MOBILE: 082 3737 662)

Tshwane Council Meeting 31 July - Community Safety

MOTION SUBMITTED BY CLR KAREN MEYER ON DRUG UNIT SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL FOR COUNCIL MEETING OF 31 JULY 2008

“Motion submitted in terms of Section 18 of the Rules and orders of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality for consideration by Council on 31 July 2008
Council recognises the great importance of the Tshwane Metro Police Drug Unit and the important role that they played in the Tshwane Municipal area. Council also notes with appreciation the work done by the five officials in this unit under difficult circumstances in attending to a huge and growing problem in our city. Council also takes note of the excellent record of achievement of this unit.
Council further takes note of the closing of this unit during this month and the fact that the ASD system never stated the closing down of this unit. Council recognises the fact that this unit closed down without prior consultation or notification.
Council realises the important role this unit has to play as a total of 8 127 drug cases for 2007/08 alone were made in the Pretoria area which is a total of 25% of Gauteng. Council realises that an increase of 85% in drug use in Gauteng were recorded in the last year which shows the great need for such a specialised unit.
Council realises that as a municipality we have an obligation to do all we can to alleviate the fast growing problem of drug use in our city.
Council therefore resolves to immediately reinstate the Tshwane Metro Police Drug Unit with immediate effect to its former state”.

REASONS FOR ABOVE MENTIONED MOTION:

1. Drugs are a social issue and cannot be addressed through enforcement only. It thus makes perfect sense to contain any aspect of drugs within the Social Crime Prevention component.

2. The Drug Unit has functioned within the Social Crime Prevention structure for about 5 years already. How can it now suddenly not be capacitated to handle such matters? This underlines the fact that Council seriously lacks sufficient planning.

3. The drug unit members were never consulted with and no negotiations ever took place. The Chief of Police (Msimang) and the members of the unit were in consultation on an ongoing basis and it was never the chief’s intention to incorporate this unit into Specialised Operations.

4. They were a specialised un-marked unit which is intelligence driven. Specialised Operations is a uniform operations unit which conduct general policing on an ad-hoc basis.

5. The minutes of the last Civilian Oversight Committee, chaired by the Speaker of the Council during June 2008, will show that it was confirmed by Deputy Cassie Coetzer, that the Drug Unit is to be placed on the Governance Section of the Department and will continue to function in its previous form and capacity.

6. It is true that the Drug Unit does not have sufficient resources, but: The Specialised Operations Canine & Equestrian Units have 32 posts but can only fill 18! The Specialised Operations Task Teams have 47 posts but can only fill 11! They do not have enough vehicles, offices or equipment to house the existing personnel. Are we going to close them down as well?

7. Official documentation will show that the said unit comprised of 5 specialised members who operated as a Unit have been split into two groups, comprising 2 members on one task team and 3 on another. This does not constitute a Unit but is clearly a disbanding and will result in a breakdown of capacity.

8. This is exactly what happened with SANAB and today there is not a single member left in the SAPS.

9. Gauteng’s total drug cases for 2007/08 stands on 12 348. This should show the importance and need for this unit.

10. The Unit, which is widely recognised for their contribution to the fight against drugs from local to international level, was the only recognised drug unit in the Country, with Cape Town in the process of establishing such a unit.

11.This move by the CTMM may negatively contribute to a major upsurge in drug and drug related crime and will not benefit the area in any way leading up to the 2010 World Cup.

12. 255 Arrest from this unit in one year by five members is a great achievement that should be recognised as one that can only be achieved by a full time unit.

13. Petitions which will be handed in today will show the commitment and need of the community to and for this unit.

COMPILED BY:
CLR KAREN MEYER
DA SPOKESPERSON ON COMMUNITY SAFETY
TSHWANE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
(MOBILE: 082 3737 662)

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