By Alderman Gert Pretorius
Surely hard earned funds generated by Tshwane residents should be used for their benefit before being generated elsewhere. After all, charity begins at home!
In particular, I refer to the sum of R95m which is going to be used to provide a main water pipeline from Rand Water to Madibeng – a town situated in the North West province. Also, a further R5m for a consultant to do the planning.
I do not believe that Tshwane Municipality is responsible for Rand Water or Madibeng. Tshwane ratepayer’s money can be better spent serving our own needs. In effect, we must lend money to finance other bodies. Is the Tshwane Metro now taking over the functions of the National Government and this with an outstanding overdraft of its own? Do we realize what we can do with R100m (2000 houses @ R50,000 each ; 500 vehicles @ R200,000 each or pro-vide jobs for 1000 people for a year @ more than R8000 per person per month).
The subsidising of Madibeng goes back a long way. In a report tabled at the portfolio committee meeting on 14 September 2010, it was reported that: “Since July 2006 Sandspruit Water has experienced difficulty in retrieving payment from Madibeng....the situation has escalated to a level where Sandspruit Water cannot afford to pay service providers any more....the residents of Tshwane are affected/influenced”. Madibeng currently owes Tshwane an amount of R15.18m for bulk water and R63.65 for operations. This brings the total that Madibeng owes Tshwane to R78.83m. Of interest here, is the fact that for the 2009/2010 budget, Sandspruit Water budgeted for a deficit of R68.75m on retail water, including bad debt or shall I say, Madibeng’s R78m!
The Tshwane Metro Council needs to manage our taxpayer’s money in a responsible way and with great care. We are not the Big Brother that can stand in for other municipalities like Madibeng in North West and service providers like Rand Water. Where is the National Government of the day – why can’t it be responsible to alleviate or solve such problems?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
ANOTHER METRO POLICE BLUNDER
By Cllr Karen Meyer
The fact that the Metro Police Department paid R170 million for an ineffective radio system must truly be the last cherry on the proverbial cake! The Metro Police Department has had nothing less than disturbing negative allegations against them specifically in the last few months.
The latest frightening situation involving the said communication system however, not only involves the Department, but can have a disastrous affect on the city’s residents as well as the officers on the street that should be able to use this form of communication for the safety of all. How can the safety of its own members and that of the residents be compromised in such a blatant way without repercussions? The fact that so much money was paid for the said system raises more questions than answers. It is clear that people in top-management are involved in the constant irregularities concerning tenders and contracts of the Safety Department. Therefore nothing less than a proper investigation would suffice and officials found guilty should be fired immediately!
Furthermore, the fact that officers had to beg for assistance to Senior Management to sort this system out, to no avail, says a lot about the Senior Management. Passing the buck seems to be the order of the day and absolutely no-one takes responsibility. The ANC must once and for all understand that this scenario is exactly what happens when you appoint people for the sake of their political background and ignore the necessary credentials!
The DA have asked at the March 2010 Council meeting in an urgent motion that the evaluation process of Metro Police Officers be investigated and re-evaluated as well as the training process. This Department needs to clean up its act and the only way to do so is by cleaning it out from top to bottom! Ignoring this will inevitably result in this Department’s total shut-down.
The DA will again pose an urgent motion at the Council meeting on Thursday to ensure a proper investigation and that the findings thereof serve before Council.
The fact that the Metro Police Department paid R170 million for an ineffective radio system must truly be the last cherry on the proverbial cake! The Metro Police Department has had nothing less than disturbing negative allegations against them specifically in the last few months.
The latest frightening situation involving the said communication system however, not only involves the Department, but can have a disastrous affect on the city’s residents as well as the officers on the street that should be able to use this form of communication for the safety of all. How can the safety of its own members and that of the residents be compromised in such a blatant way without repercussions? The fact that so much money was paid for the said system raises more questions than answers. It is clear that people in top-management are involved in the constant irregularities concerning tenders and contracts of the Safety Department. Therefore nothing less than a proper investigation would suffice and officials found guilty should be fired immediately!
Furthermore, the fact that officers had to beg for assistance to Senior Management to sort this system out, to no avail, says a lot about the Senior Management. Passing the buck seems to be the order of the day and absolutely no-one takes responsibility. The ANC must once and for all understand that this scenario is exactly what happens when you appoint people for the sake of their political background and ignore the necessary credentials!
The DA have asked at the March 2010 Council meeting in an urgent motion that the evaluation process of Metro Police Officers be investigated and re-evaluated as well as the training process. This Department needs to clean up its act and the only way to do so is by cleaning it out from top to bottom! Ignoring this will inevitably result in this Department’s total shut-down.
The DA will again pose an urgent motion at the Council meeting on Thursday to ensure a proper investigation and that the findings thereof serve before Council.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
FUEL CRISIS AT WONDERBOOM AIRPORT
By Cllr Francois Bekker
The second fuel crisis within a month threatened to paralyze aviation activity at the Wonderboom airport this week. The first fuel shortage saga occurred exactly a month ago from what appears to be the result of short sighted management decisions affecting fuel supplies to the airport negatively.
The DA described the situation at the airport as shocking and called on the Tshwane Metro to come clean on the reasons for the fuel shortage.
“A blame game between the Council and the fuel supplier will not solve the problem that is clearly more serious than was initially thought.” said Councillor Francois Bekker. “What is to be avoided is to continue addressing the symptoms and ignoring the reasons that led to this situation which is fast becoming an aviation disaster and a public relations disaster for the city.” Bekker added.
The DA further expressed its disappointment with the ANC led Council in that the problems at the Wonderboom Airport was not even tabled for discussion at the last Transport and Roads portfolio meeting. “A question that needs to be answered is why the contract with the previous fuel supplier was cancelled in the first place.” Bekker said
The DA is pressing for a clear indication about the plans to avoid a repeat of the crisis.
The second fuel crisis within a month threatened to paralyze aviation activity at the Wonderboom airport this week. The first fuel shortage saga occurred exactly a month ago from what appears to be the result of short sighted management decisions affecting fuel supplies to the airport negatively.
The DA described the situation at the airport as shocking and called on the Tshwane Metro to come clean on the reasons for the fuel shortage.
“A blame game between the Council and the fuel supplier will not solve the problem that is clearly more serious than was initially thought.” said Councillor Francois Bekker. “What is to be avoided is to continue addressing the symptoms and ignoring the reasons that led to this situation which is fast becoming an aviation disaster and a public relations disaster for the city.” Bekker added.
The DA further expressed its disappointment with the ANC led Council in that the problems at the Wonderboom Airport was not even tabled for discussion at the last Transport and Roads portfolio meeting. “A question that needs to be answered is why the contract with the previous fuel supplier was cancelled in the first place.” Bekker said
The DA is pressing for a clear indication about the plans to avoid a repeat of the crisis.
Monday, November 15, 2010
SERVICE DELIVERY (OR LACK OF IT) IN THE TSHWANE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
By Cllr Jan van Zyl
The frustration of residents with the bad service they receive (also from Customer Service points) is well understood by Councillors representing the Democatic Alliance in the Tshwane Metropolitan Council. All these Councillors experience the very same frustration, and even more, because they have the opportunity to view the ineffectiveness of the governing party and the officials first hand. The hard work a cader did in the so-called struggle, does not make him or she a good official! It is just a "thank you" for services rendered, and the public must suffer becuase of that. The problem the DA in the Council has, is that we are not in a position to push our decisions through Council, and we cannot ensure that the remedies we think are there, are used and tested, simply because all our suggestions are shot down by the ANC.
We do not think they have the political will to improve the position, and I am afraid to say that the the officials who can still do the job, are so demoralized that they are also beinning to lose interest. The other officials, especially those in managerial positions, are mostly, redeployed cadres with not much experience, or qualifications, to ensure the proper working of a local authority. The delays in City Planning applications for example, are frustrating and unnecessary, although sometimes the applicants, and especially their advisors, submit applications not properly completed, which then mean that it cannot be considered in terms of the legislation concerned.
Next year it is municipal elections nationwide, and as far as the Tshwane Metro is concerned, the solution lies in the hands of the residents/voters. Do you know that at present, no less than 43% of Council seats are taken up by opposition parties, but only 48% of registered voters cast their votes in the 2006 election! Your vote can thus make a difference. If all the people register, and turn up to vote, there is a great possibility that the DA alone, or with the assistance of other opposition parties, can take over control of this municipality. And then we can start getting this city back on track again. Then we can ensure that efficient Councillors serve as Executive Mayor and on the Mayoral Committee, and we can ensure that officials do their job according to our policies. And we shall only appoint personnel on merit, and not to thank them for being good supporters! The recently appointed Executive Mayor seems to be a great improvement on the previous one, but that does not say much. It is not easy to improve on Dr Gwen Ramokgopa! One shall see if the talk gets followed up by deeds.
When you sit in the opposition, you want to cry because you can see the solutions, but your ideas never get approved, and tested in practise.
Please influence your neighbours, friends, business associates and family members, to register, and to vote next year. Then we can turn this ship around - not in a week or two, but in time. It is not coincidental that Cape Town is one of the best run cities in the world - it is because there is a party in charge interested in giving service to its community. Do you think it is coincidence that the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Province, get clean audit reports from the Auditor-General, and in places such as Tshwane Metro Council, he does not even want to give an opinion!
Do not hestitate to contact the DA if there are specific things we might be able to help with, or if there are specific questions you would like answered. We are also available to meet with concerned residents, putting these facts to them, and pointing out how it can be solved. We have told some of our voters in the townships that problems such as the lack of service delivery, cannot be solved by toi-toi, or by burning tyres, but only by voting the inefficient ANC out of government in this city, and putiing in a party which can do what is necessary.
The frustration of residents with the bad service they receive (also from Customer Service points) is well understood by Councillors representing the Democatic Alliance in the Tshwane Metropolitan Council. All these Councillors experience the very same frustration, and even more, because they have the opportunity to view the ineffectiveness of the governing party and the officials first hand. The hard work a cader did in the so-called struggle, does not make him or she a good official! It is just a "thank you" for services rendered, and the public must suffer becuase of that. The problem the DA in the Council has, is that we are not in a position to push our decisions through Council, and we cannot ensure that the remedies we think are there, are used and tested, simply because all our suggestions are shot down by the ANC.
We do not think they have the political will to improve the position, and I am afraid to say that the the officials who can still do the job, are so demoralized that they are also beinning to lose interest. The other officials, especially those in managerial positions, are mostly, redeployed cadres with not much experience, or qualifications, to ensure the proper working of a local authority. The delays in City Planning applications for example, are frustrating and unnecessary, although sometimes the applicants, and especially their advisors, submit applications not properly completed, which then mean that it cannot be considered in terms of the legislation concerned.
Next year it is municipal elections nationwide, and as far as the Tshwane Metro is concerned, the solution lies in the hands of the residents/voters. Do you know that at present, no less than 43% of Council seats are taken up by opposition parties, but only 48% of registered voters cast their votes in the 2006 election! Your vote can thus make a difference. If all the people register, and turn up to vote, there is a great possibility that the DA alone, or with the assistance of other opposition parties, can take over control of this municipality. And then we can start getting this city back on track again. Then we can ensure that efficient Councillors serve as Executive Mayor and on the Mayoral Committee, and we can ensure that officials do their job according to our policies. And we shall only appoint personnel on merit, and not to thank them for being good supporters! The recently appointed Executive Mayor seems to be a great improvement on the previous one, but that does not say much. It is not easy to improve on Dr Gwen Ramokgopa! One shall see if the talk gets followed up by deeds.
When you sit in the opposition, you want to cry because you can see the solutions, but your ideas never get approved, and tested in practise.
Please influence your neighbours, friends, business associates and family members, to register, and to vote next year. Then we can turn this ship around - not in a week or two, but in time. It is not coincidental that Cape Town is one of the best run cities in the world - it is because there is a party in charge interested in giving service to its community. Do you think it is coincidence that the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Province, get clean audit reports from the Auditor-General, and in places such as Tshwane Metro Council, he does not even want to give an opinion!
Do not hestitate to contact the DA if there are specific things we might be able to help with, or if there are specific questions you would like answered. We are also available to meet with concerned residents, putting these facts to them, and pointing out how it can be solved. We have told some of our voters in the townships that problems such as the lack of service delivery, cannot be solved by toi-toi, or by burning tyres, but only by voting the inefficient ANC out of government in this city, and putiing in a party which can do what is necessary.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
ANC's PLANS BORDER ON DESPERATE MEDDLING
The ANC cannot improve the lives of people by tinkering with the country’s provincial structure, writes DA councillor FRANCOIS BEKKER by e-mail.
(Lead letter in the Citizen)
Where the Democratic Alliance is in power good governance and real service delivery prevails. Frustrated by this, the ANC now wants to review the role of the provinces.
The ANC’s intention to meddle with the provinces is telling of the ruling party’s misguided idea about democracy.
The ANC feels, understandably, threatened by the DA. Instead of showing commitment to a multi-party democracy, it now wants to change the rules of the game to neutralise the rise of the opposition.
The real losers of the government’s destructive plans to change the roles of the provinces will be the people, who merely want service delivery, effective and accountable governance to be a reality, concepts obviously foreign to the ANC.
Let’s face it; the ANC is a power- hungry political movement that does not care about the needs of the people.
If the ANC cared about the voters it would try outsmart the DA with better policies, fit-for-purpose appointments and effective government that will provide the results our people are so desperately waiting for. But no, driven by an agenda to benefit a select few, self-interest will always be put above the needs and aspirations of the country.
(Lead letter in the Citizen)
Where the Democratic Alliance is in power good governance and real service delivery prevails. Frustrated by this, the ANC now wants to review the role of the provinces.
The ANC’s intention to meddle with the provinces is telling of the ruling party’s misguided idea about democracy.
The ANC feels, understandably, threatened by the DA. Instead of showing commitment to a multi-party democracy, it now wants to change the rules of the game to neutralise the rise of the opposition.
The real losers of the government’s destructive plans to change the roles of the provinces will be the people, who merely want service delivery, effective and accountable governance to be a reality, concepts obviously foreign to the ANC.
Let’s face it; the ANC is a power- hungry political movement that does not care about the needs of the people.
If the ANC cared about the voters it would try outsmart the DA with better policies, fit-for-purpose appointments and effective government that will provide the results our people are so desperately waiting for. But no, driven by an agenda to benefit a select few, self-interest will always be put above the needs and aspirations of the country.
Monday, October 18, 2010
PROTECT RESIDENTS AGAINST LABOUR DISPUTES
By Cllr Vickey Bosch
According to the Tshwane Executive Mayor contingency plans will only be put in place once the unions issue a notice regarding strike actions. This answer was given to a DA question regarding the recent crippling public sector strike.
In was also pointed out by the mayor that resources could only be arranged when a definite date on which the strike commences was known because they entailed additional costs to the municipality.
“In plain language,” Cllr Bosch commented this week, “Only once a strike was announced, would the Council take any action to alleviate the lack of service delivery – and this only after negotiating resources from other sectors. “
“Let’s hope we get plenty of warning of future strike action!” Cllr Bosch added.
The DA insists that only better defined contingency plans will protect the residents from labour disputes to assuring uninterrupted service delivery.
According to the Tshwane Executive Mayor contingency plans will only be put in place once the unions issue a notice regarding strike actions. This answer was given to a DA question regarding the recent crippling public sector strike.
In was also pointed out by the mayor that resources could only be arranged when a definite date on which the strike commences was known because they entailed additional costs to the municipality.
“In plain language,” Cllr Bosch commented this week, “Only once a strike was announced, would the Council take any action to alleviate the lack of service delivery – and this only after negotiating resources from other sectors. “
“Let’s hope we get plenty of warning of future strike action!” Cllr Bosch added.
The DA insists that only better defined contingency plans will protect the residents from labour disputes to assuring uninterrupted service delivery.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
LEGAL GATED COMMUNITIES A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT
By Cllr Christa Spoelstra
The misleading ANC Motion submitted at the last Council meeting regarding the restriction of access to public places was challenged by the DA today. The motion is nothing less than an amateur attempt to score cheap party political points.
The DA is completely against illegal actions by the public but is supportive of initiatives that comply with the law. Legal gated communities are a response to the high crime rate and the lack of proper safety and security measures. Its aim is to protect lives and property, regardless of race or creed.
One of the ground rules of an application is that no one should be denied access to any of these restricted areas. Freedom of movement is thus not affected. It is a myth that only rich people apply for gated arrangements. Residents across the race spectrum benefit from restricted areas and support the applications.
Due to the fact that the Municipality took so long to lift the moratorium on applications for gated communities following a High court case in 2009 and the high crime rate in the City, some of the communities took the illegal route to close the streets in certain areas. The City Planning Committee asked for a report on the 20th January 2010 of the current situation regarding the restriction of access within the City of Tshwane as a whole to establish legality of restriction of access to public places throughout the City. In the future action will be taken against Illegal Gated Communities.
Our Constitution states that it is our right as South African citizens to protect ourselves in our country and our homes. The SAP is also in support of these closures because it strengthens their hands in the combat against crime.
The misleading ANC Motion submitted at the last Council meeting regarding the restriction of access to public places was challenged by the DA today. The motion is nothing less than an amateur attempt to score cheap party political points.
The DA is completely against illegal actions by the public but is supportive of initiatives that comply with the law. Legal gated communities are a response to the high crime rate and the lack of proper safety and security measures. Its aim is to protect lives and property, regardless of race or creed.
One of the ground rules of an application is that no one should be denied access to any of these restricted areas. Freedom of movement is thus not affected. It is a myth that only rich people apply for gated arrangements. Residents across the race spectrum benefit from restricted areas and support the applications.
Due to the fact that the Municipality took so long to lift the moratorium on applications for gated communities following a High court case in 2009 and the high crime rate in the City, some of the communities took the illegal route to close the streets in certain areas. The City Planning Committee asked for a report on the 20th January 2010 of the current situation regarding the restriction of access within the City of Tshwane as a whole to establish legality of restriction of access to public places throughout the City. In the future action will be taken against Illegal Gated Communities.
Our Constitution states that it is our right as South African citizens to protect ourselves in our country and our homes. The SAP is also in support of these closures because it strengthens their hands in the combat against crime.
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