The purpose of DAtanet was to provide a channel of communication between the Democratic Alliance of the Jeffreys Bay region and interested folk in our community in view of the 2011 municipal election.
Die munisipale verkiesing is agter die rug. DAtanet het hopelik aan sy doel beantwoord en sal tydelik gestaak word - totdat die volgende munisipale verkiesing aanbreek.
04 June, 2011
25 May, 2011
Só het die DA die munisipale verkiesing in die Kouga verloor
‘n Skamele 430 ondersteuners van die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) wat nie die moeite gedoen het om op 18 Mei in Kouga te gaan stem nie, het die beheer van die munsipaliteit op ‘n skinkbord aan die ANC gegee.
Die ANC het met 15 raadslede teenoor die 14 van die DA gewen. Die wegblyers kon die telling net mooi omgekeer het.
Die bepaling van die uitslag van die verkiesing is nie ‘n eenvoudige proses nie. ‘n Omslagtige berekening is nodig om by die finale “telling” te kom.
Dié berekening toon dat die ANC die verkiesing met 859 (sê 860) stemme gewen het. Elke kieser het twee stemme vir die Kouga-raad gehad - een vir ‘n wyksraadslid en een vir ‘n party. Vandaar die syfer van 430 wegblyers (860 ÷ 2) wat die DA die beheer van Kouga gekos het.
Daar was ‘n paar faktore wat die uitslag beïnvloed het.
• Wegblyers: ‘n Derde van die geregistreerde kiesers het nie gaan stem nie, ondanks waarskuwings deur die media en politieke partye dat elke stem tel. Daar was 51 400 geregistreerde kiesers. Hiervan het 35 200 gestem.
Die vraag is nou: waar was daardie 430 kiesers op stemdag wat die DA laat verloor het? Was dit oorgerustheid dat hul wyke veilig is? Of die lui-lekkerte van ‘n vakansiedag? Of gewoon luiheid? Of die weer? Die antwoord is waarskynlik iets van elkeen.
Die algehele stempersentasie van 68 persent is uitstekend vir ‘n munisipale verkiesing. Dit was nie goed genoeg nie in ‘n munisipaliteit waar die kiesers baie goed geweet het die uitslag was op ‘n mespunt.
Die verskoning van “niemand het ons kom besoek nie”, is ‘n onverskoonbare een.
• Werwing: In wyk 8 (Bo-Wavecrest), waar mnr Dave Aldendorff van die DA stof in sy opponente se oë geskop het, was die stempersentasie ‘n verstommende 82 persent. Hoekom het hý dit reggekry en nie die ander veilige DA-wyke nie? Dit is bekend dat mnr Aldendorff deeglike werwingswerk gedoen het.
Die twee ander veilige DA-wyke in Jeffreysbaai het onderpresteer. Dit het die DA ‘n hele klompie stemme gekos.
Altemit moes sommige DA-kandidate mnr Aldendorff se strategie gevolg het.
• Kleiner partye: Die Vryheidsfront Plus (VF+) en Kouga2000 (K20) se kandidate het onderskeidelik 526 en 486 stemme gekry. In sommige kringe word geredeneer dat dié twee partye se deelname die DA die verkiesing gekos het. Dat dié twee partye dit moeiliker vir die DA gemaak het, is gewis.
As hulle nie deelgeneem het nie, is dit nie te sê al hul ondersteuners sou vir die DA gestem het nie.
Dié partye kon voordat hulle kandidate gestel het meer bedag gewees het op wat in Kouga te wagte was. Hulle verdien ‘n vingerwysing, veral K20 wat nou graf toe is.
• Intimidasie: DA-politici het gekla oor initmidasie van kiesers in Swart- en Bruin-oorheersde gebiede. Die ANC het byvoorbeeld strate na stembusse in Pellsrus versper en kiesers aangespreek. Dit het die DA stemme gekos. Intimidasie is ‘n werklikheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse politiek. Dit sal vir baie jare by ons wees.
Die DA kon meer bedag gewees het hierop en teenvoeters gevind het.
Opsommend: die “kan-nie-worry”-wegblyers was die kernrede waarom die DA die Kouga-verkiesing verloor het, gevolg deur louerige DA-werwing in sommige wyke, gevolg deur die onbedagsame deelname van kleiner, onsuksesvolle partye. ‘n Duur les.
- Japie Bosch
Die ANC het met 15 raadslede teenoor die 14 van die DA gewen. Die wegblyers kon die telling net mooi omgekeer het.
Die bepaling van die uitslag van die verkiesing is nie ‘n eenvoudige proses nie. ‘n Omslagtige berekening is nodig om by die finale “telling” te kom.
Dié berekening toon dat die ANC die verkiesing met 859 (sê 860) stemme gewen het. Elke kieser het twee stemme vir die Kouga-raad gehad - een vir ‘n wyksraadslid en een vir ‘n party. Vandaar die syfer van 430 wegblyers (860 ÷ 2) wat die DA die beheer van Kouga gekos het.
Daar was ‘n paar faktore wat die uitslag beïnvloed het.
• Wegblyers: ‘n Derde van die geregistreerde kiesers het nie gaan stem nie, ondanks waarskuwings deur die media en politieke partye dat elke stem tel. Daar was 51 400 geregistreerde kiesers. Hiervan het 35 200 gestem.
Die vraag is nou: waar was daardie 430 kiesers op stemdag wat die DA laat verloor het? Was dit oorgerustheid dat hul wyke veilig is? Of die lui-lekkerte van ‘n vakansiedag? Of gewoon luiheid? Of die weer? Die antwoord is waarskynlik iets van elkeen.
Die algehele stempersentasie van 68 persent is uitstekend vir ‘n munisipale verkiesing. Dit was nie goed genoeg nie in ‘n munisipaliteit waar die kiesers baie goed geweet het die uitslag was op ‘n mespunt.
Die verskoning van “niemand het ons kom besoek nie”, is ‘n onverskoonbare een.
• Werwing: In wyk 8 (Bo-Wavecrest), waar mnr Dave Aldendorff van die DA stof in sy opponente se oë geskop het, was die stempersentasie ‘n verstommende 82 persent. Hoekom het hý dit reggekry en nie die ander veilige DA-wyke nie? Dit is bekend dat mnr Aldendorff deeglike werwingswerk gedoen het.
Die twee ander veilige DA-wyke in Jeffreysbaai het onderpresteer. Dit het die DA ‘n hele klompie stemme gekos.
Altemit moes sommige DA-kandidate mnr Aldendorff se strategie gevolg het.
• Kleiner partye: Die Vryheidsfront Plus (VF+) en Kouga2000 (K20) se kandidate het onderskeidelik 526 en 486 stemme gekry. In sommige kringe word geredeneer dat dié twee partye se deelname die DA die verkiesing gekos het. Dat dié twee partye dit moeiliker vir die DA gemaak het, is gewis.
As hulle nie deelgeneem het nie, is dit nie te sê al hul ondersteuners sou vir die DA gestem het nie.
Dié partye kon voordat hulle kandidate gestel het meer bedag gewees het op wat in Kouga te wagte was. Hulle verdien ‘n vingerwysing, veral K20 wat nou graf toe is.
• Intimidasie: DA-politici het gekla oor initmidasie van kiesers in Swart- en Bruin-oorheersde gebiede. Die ANC het byvoorbeeld strate na stembusse in Pellsrus versper en kiesers aangespreek. Dit het die DA stemme gekos. Intimidasie is ‘n werklikheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse politiek. Dit sal vir baie jare by ons wees.
Die DA kon meer bedag gewees het hierop en teenvoeters gevind het.
Opsommend: die “kan-nie-worry”-wegblyers was die kernrede waarom die DA die Kouga-verkiesing verloor het, gevolg deur louerige DA-werwing in sommige wyke, gevolg deur die onbedagsame deelname van kleiner, onsuksesvolle partye. ‘n Duur les.
- Japie Bosch
23 May, 2011
Herskikking van SA politiek nou moontlik
2011-05-21
Tussen die lawaai deur van die DA se feesvierings oor die steun wat hy by die ANC afgeneem het en die ANC wat wal gooi dat hý steeds landwyd die meerderheidstem gekry het, staan een ding soos ’n paal bo water: Die uitslag dek die tafel vir ’n grondliggende herskikking van die politieke landskap in die aanloop tot die volgende nasionale verkiesing in 2014. Lees verder: Die Burger.
Tussen die lawaai deur van die DA se feesvierings oor die steun wat hy by die ANC afgeneem het en die ANC wat wal gooi dat hý steeds landwyd die meerderheidstem gekry het, staan een ding soos ’n paal bo water: Die uitslag dek die tafel vir ’n grondliggende herskikking van die politieke landskap in die aanloop tot die volgende nasionale verkiesing in 2014. Lees verder: Die Burger.
20 May, 2011
Election results map
View the election results in the Kouga by clicking on http://www.news24.com/maps?year=2011, followed by the "Eastern Cape", next on "Cacadu", and finally on "Kouga". Now check the tables for the election results in 2011.
15 May, 2011
Wrong message
Prof. Chimpie Cawood writes, "Your article by JP Landman [click here to read the article - DAtanet] re the two votes is a wrong message for Kouga voters. Kouga voters have three votes i.e. white ballot paper: vote for a DA ward candidate; yellow ballot paper: vote for a party (DA) proportional list for Kouga Municipality; green ballot paper : vote for a party (DA) proportional list for Cacadu District Municipality.
Keep up your excellent initiative - election day is upon us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Keep up your excellent initiative - election day is upon us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
’n Morele plig by die stembus
Woensdag se verkiesing stel Suid-Afrikaners voor ’n keuse tussen een manier van regeer en ’n ander – ’n keuse so duidelik dat dit elke kieser se plig is om sy keuse te maak en sy kruisie te trek vir die een of die ander, in belang van ons geliefde land.
Die een manier van regeer is om korrupsie en wanbestuur te vergoeilik en ongestraf te laat. Die ander manier is om skoon oudits te kry en op te tree teen skelms.
Die een manier van regeer is om munisipale dienste te laat verswak tot satwordens toe, paaie vol slaggate te laat en riool in strate te laat afvloei sodat inwoners voel hulle moet die wet oortree en dienste self lewer. Die ander manier is om basiese dienste in stand te hou deur begrotings behoorlik te bestuur sodat die paar munisipaliteite wat jy bestuur, al is hulle klein, telkens die bes bestuurde in hul provinsie is.
Die een manier van regeer is om die magshebbers toe te rus met die blinkste motors, die gaafste huise en die beste byvoordele. Die ander manier is om die gordels stywer in te trek en meer geld te bestee aan dienslewering aan armes.
Die een manier van regeer is om, herhaaldelik en skaamteloos, te beweer God is ’n ondersteuner van jou party en jy sal tot die wederkoms regeer. Die ander manier is om kiesers te vra om jou hul stem te leen, die tydelikheid van jou mandaat te erken en so die reg van die kieser te erken om van gedagte te verander – om nie eens te praat van om jou nie aan te matig om namens God te praat nie.
Die een manier van ’n verkiesingsveldtog bedryf is om jou opponent persoonlik te beledig eerder as om voorbeelde van jou eie uitnemende bestuur te probeer beklemtoon. Die ander manier is om op jou eie goeie bestuursrekord te fokus en nie jou opponent te skel nie.
Die een manier van verkiesing veg is om die raskaart te trek, sekere bevolkingsgroepe af te dreig en mense te antagoniseer. Die ander is om te konsentreer op versoening deur nie-rassigheid sodat al ons kinders ’n gelyke kans kan hê, al swem dit teen die stroom van populisme en ons geskiedenis van verdeeldheid.
Woensdag is die dag om te kies tussen hierdie opsies.
Ons vertrou dat kiesers sal besef dis tyd om die een manier opsy te laat, en dis ons bede dat hulle in groot getalle die ander manier sal kies.
Uit: Rapport, 15 Mei 2010
Die een manier van regeer is om korrupsie en wanbestuur te vergoeilik en ongestraf te laat. Die ander manier is om skoon oudits te kry en op te tree teen skelms.
Die een manier van regeer is om munisipale dienste te laat verswak tot satwordens toe, paaie vol slaggate te laat en riool in strate te laat afvloei sodat inwoners voel hulle moet die wet oortree en dienste self lewer. Die ander manier is om basiese dienste in stand te hou deur begrotings behoorlik te bestuur sodat die paar munisipaliteite wat jy bestuur, al is hulle klein, telkens die bes bestuurde in hul provinsie is.
Die een manier van regeer is om die magshebbers toe te rus met die blinkste motors, die gaafste huise en die beste byvoordele. Die ander manier is om die gordels stywer in te trek en meer geld te bestee aan dienslewering aan armes.
Die een manier van regeer is om, herhaaldelik en skaamteloos, te beweer God is ’n ondersteuner van jou party en jy sal tot die wederkoms regeer. Die ander manier is om kiesers te vra om jou hul stem te leen, die tydelikheid van jou mandaat te erken en so die reg van die kieser te erken om van gedagte te verander – om nie eens te praat van om jou nie aan te matig om namens God te praat nie.
Die een manier van ’n verkiesingsveldtog bedryf is om jou opponent persoonlik te beledig eerder as om voorbeelde van jou eie uitnemende bestuur te probeer beklemtoon. Die ander manier is om op jou eie goeie bestuursrekord te fokus en nie jou opponent te skel nie.
Die een manier van verkiesing veg is om die raskaart te trek, sekere bevolkingsgroepe af te dreig en mense te antagoniseer. Die ander is om te konsentreer op versoening deur nie-rassigheid sodat al ons kinders ’n gelyke kans kan hê, al swem dit teen die stroom van populisme en ons geskiedenis van verdeeldheid.
Woensdag is die dag om te kies tussen hierdie opsies.
Ons vertrou dat kiesers sal besef dis tyd om die een manier opsy te laat, en dis ons bede dat hulle in groot getalle die ander manier sal kies.
Uit: Rapport, 15 Mei 2010
14 May, 2011
The danger of a split vote
Piet Liebenberg, an Our Times reporter, wrote as follows: "My research on the previous election (2006) for ward 5 is a case in point why the votes for the minority parties [split votes] cost the DA dearly. Had the 29 people who voted ACDP or Vryheidsfront voted for the DA then the DA would have won the ward."
Election results map
An interesting exercise: click on http://www.news24.com/maps?year=2006; then on the Eastern Cape; then on Cacadu; and finally on Kouga; now go to the tables for the election results in 2006.
A preview of the municipal election on 18 May
Every voter has two votes next Wednesday – one for a ward councillor, where one chooses between individuals, and one on a proportional list where one casts a vote for a political party.
For the ANC the issue will be not to lose too much.
The ANC steadily increased its percentage of the vote from 1994 to 2004, peaking in the national elections in that year at close to 70% of the vote. Since then they have lost some ground (66.35% in 2006, 65.9% in 2009), but not nearly as much as predicted by pundits.
This time round, pundits are again predicting a loss of support for the ANC.
Failure to keep the ANC share of the vote above 60% could lead to considerable political pressure on President Zuma. It is clear that there are candidates in the ANC who would like to make a run for the Presidency if given the opportunity. They may use a poor election result as a stick to try and hit Mr Zuma and force a contest. Should the ANC come well out of the elections it will strengthen Mr Zuma’s hand.
For the DA the issue will be to break through the 20% mark.
This time round the DA should benefit from its merger with the Independent Democrats (although that was only a 2% party at the previous election). The DA should also gain if COPE implodes as is generally expected.
An important issue for all parties will be the percentage poll. In 2000 it was 48%, in 2006 48.4%. So half the voters did not bother to go and vote in the last two local elections.
A higher percentage poll will benefit the party whose supporters come out and vote. Pundits are predicting that ANC supporters will stay away on Wednesday. They will clearly have to stay away in much bigger numbers than before to cause meaningful change.
Another critical issue particularly for the DA, will be how many municipalities it will control outright. Data released by the national government clearly indicates that the DA performs well in the municipalities it controls outright. The more such DA-controlled municipalities there are, the more competition will be introduced in the performance race between municipalities, which must be good.
The possible downside in the election results could be a division along racial lines. If White, Coloured and Indian voters largely vote DA and Black (as in African) voters choose the ANC, it will perpetuate a trend witnessed in 1999 and will undermine social cohesion. It will also mean the DA will remain a largely Western Cape party.
From: Preview of the local government elections by J P Landman
For the ANC the issue will be not to lose too much.
The ANC steadily increased its percentage of the vote from 1994 to 2004, peaking in the national elections in that year at close to 70% of the vote. Since then they have lost some ground (66.35% in 2006, 65.9% in 2009), but not nearly as much as predicted by pundits.
This time round, pundits are again predicting a loss of support for the ANC.
Failure to keep the ANC share of the vote above 60% could lead to considerable political pressure on President Zuma. It is clear that there are candidates in the ANC who would like to make a run for the Presidency if given the opportunity. They may use a poor election result as a stick to try and hit Mr Zuma and force a contest. Should the ANC come well out of the elections it will strengthen Mr Zuma’s hand.
For the DA the issue will be to break through the 20% mark.
This time round the DA should benefit from its merger with the Independent Democrats (although that was only a 2% party at the previous election). The DA should also gain if COPE implodes as is generally expected.
An important issue for all parties will be the percentage poll. In 2000 it was 48%, in 2006 48.4%. So half the voters did not bother to go and vote in the last two local elections.
A higher percentage poll will benefit the party whose supporters come out and vote. Pundits are predicting that ANC supporters will stay away on Wednesday. They will clearly have to stay away in much bigger numbers than before to cause meaningful change.
Another critical issue particularly for the DA, will be how many municipalities it will control outright. Data released by the national government clearly indicates that the DA performs well in the municipalities it controls outright. The more such DA-controlled municipalities there are, the more competition will be introduced in the performance race between municipalities, which must be good.
The possible downside in the election results could be a division along racial lines. If White, Coloured and Indian voters largely vote DA and Black (as in African) voters choose the ANC, it will perpetuate a trend witnessed in 1999 and will undermine social cohesion. It will also mean the DA will remain a largely Western Cape party.
From: Preview of the local government elections by J P Landman
12 May, 2011
Positive talks between DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE and COPE in Kouga & Koukamma
Very positive negotiations between the leadership of both the DA and COPE took place during the weekend in Humansdorp.
The positive vibe at the meeting resulted from healthy cooperation between the two parties during a by-election in Humansdorp/Kwanomzamo some two years ago.
During the upcoming local municipal elections COPE unfortunately did not manage to register their candidates in Kouga and Koukamma in time due to an administrative blunder.
After lengthy discussions the two parties resolved that they share a common view with regard to the municipal election:
• The ANC must be stopped in both Kouga and Koukamma due to corruption, financial- and administrative- malfunctioning, and poor service delivery.
• Both the DA and COPE wish to experience Kouga and Koukamma reaching award-winning status once again by rendering “clean” administration and top class service delivery.
With the above in mind the COPE leadership in Kouga and Koukamma recommends the following:
• That their followers remain members of the COPE party;
• That due to the fact that COPE could not register candidates in Kouga & Koukamma, their followers will vote for the Democratic Alliance on all three ballot papers on May, 18;
• That future cooperation between the DA and COPE be jointly decided.
The DA leadership in Kouga and Koukamma agreed to incorporate COPE members in local municipal structures.
(Submitted by Dr. Nico Botha, Chairman of the Management Committee of the DA in the Jeffreys Bay Region)
The positive vibe at the meeting resulted from healthy cooperation between the two parties during a by-election in Humansdorp/Kwanomzamo some two years ago.
During the upcoming local municipal elections COPE unfortunately did not manage to register their candidates in Kouga and Koukamma in time due to an administrative blunder.
After lengthy discussions the two parties resolved that they share a common view with regard to the municipal election:
• The ANC must be stopped in both Kouga and Koukamma due to corruption, financial- and administrative- malfunctioning, and poor service delivery.
• Both the DA and COPE wish to experience Kouga and Koukamma reaching award-winning status once again by rendering “clean” administration and top class service delivery.
With the above in mind the COPE leadership in Kouga and Koukamma recommends the following:
• That their followers remain members of the COPE party;
• That due to the fact that COPE could not register candidates in Kouga & Koukamma, their followers will vote for the Democratic Alliance on all three ballot papers on May, 18;
• That future cooperation between the DA and COPE be jointly decided.
The DA leadership in Kouga and Koukamma agreed to incorporate COPE members in local municipal structures.
(Submitted by Dr. Nico Botha, Chairman of the Management Committee of the DA in the Jeffreys Bay Region)
A typical SA story
Barney Mthombothi
Thursday, 12 May 2011
It’s perhaps fitting that the campaign for the municipal elections has been dominated by toilets and their contents. It’s an appropriate metaphor for our politics. They’re down the toilet, so to speak. Muck raking has become the stuff of politics. Read more: Financial Mail ...
Thursday, 12 May 2011
It’s perhaps fitting that the campaign for the municipal elections has been dominated by toilets and their contents. It’s an appropriate metaphor for our politics. They’re down the toilet, so to speak. Muck raking has become the stuff of politics. Read more: Financial Mail ...
Rade: Zille kap Zuma
2011-05-11
Pieter du Toit
Kaapstad. – Me. Helen Zille, DA-leier, het pres. Jacob Zuma gister persoonlik uitgedaag om ’n verdoemende verslag deur die nasionale tesourie oor die ware stand van munisipaliteite bekend te maak. Lees verder: Beeld ...
Pieter du Toit
Kaapstad. – Me. Helen Zille, DA-leier, het pres. Jacob Zuma gister persoonlik uitgedaag om ’n verdoemende verslag deur die nasionale tesourie oor die ware stand van munisipaliteite bekend te maak. Lees verder: Beeld ...
ANC hét geweet
2011-05-12
Kaapstad - Die ANC is gister uitgevang oor sy leuen dat hy nié geweet het van die oop toilette in die Viljoenskroonse woongebied Rammulotsi nie. Lees verder: Die Burger ...
Kaapstad - Die ANC is gister uitgevang oor sy leuen dat hy nié geweet het van die oop toilette in die Viljoenskroonse woongebied Rammulotsi nie. Lees verder: Die Burger ...
11 May, 2011
A chance to stop the looting
Rhoda Kadalie
10 May 2011
My neighbour, a hardworking single parent, often tells me how much she despises politicians. "They are like salesmen who sell you products you do not want. They get in the way." It is hard to disagree with her except that I believe that society can only function properly in a constitutional multi-party democracy that requires elected officials in a sovereign parliament to represent us. Elections allow the voters to demonstrate their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the government of the day.
Last year the DA provincial government was the only one that received an unqualified audit and ironically the very people who vote for the ANC migrate from those mal-functioning provinces to the Western Cape in the hope of receiving better services. Read more: Politicsweb
10 May 2011
My neighbour, a hardworking single parent, often tells me how much she despises politicians. "They are like salesmen who sell you products you do not want. They get in the way." It is hard to disagree with her except that I believe that society can only function properly in a constitutional multi-party democracy that requires elected officials in a sovereign parliament to represent us. Elections allow the voters to demonstrate their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the government of the day.
Last year the DA provincial government was the only one that received an unqualified audit and ironically the very people who vote for the ANC migrate from those mal-functioning provinces to the Western Cape in the hope of receiving better services. Read more: Politicsweb
10 May, 2011
Die draadsitter swyg nogmaals
2011-05-10 00:00
’n Politikus is ’n gedierte wat op die draad kan sit met albei ore stewig op die grond, het die Amerikaanse koerantman en politieke kommentator H.L. Mencken eens gesê. Pres. Jacob Zuma leef dié waarheid nou tot nuwe hoogtes uit met sy stilte oor die rassistiese uitlatings van mnr. Julius Malema dat wit mense misdadigers is en só behandel moet word. Zuma “Die Swyger” het nogmaals bewys hy verspeel nie ’n kans om ’n kans te verspeel nie! Lees verder: Die Burger ...
’n Politikus is ’n gedierte wat op die draad kan sit met albei ore stewig op die grond, het die Amerikaanse koerantman en politieke kommentator H.L. Mencken eens gesê. Pres. Jacob Zuma leef dié waarheid nou tot nuwe hoogtes uit met sy stilte oor die rassistiese uitlatings van mnr. Julius Malema dat wit mense misdadigers is en só behandel moet word. Zuma “Die Swyger” het nogmaals bewys hy verspeel nie ’n kans om ’n kans te verspeel nie! Lees verder: Die Burger ...
Shiceka: Changing the statistics will not change the facts
James Lorimer, Shadow Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs
9 May 2011
It has been reported by the Sunday Times that, in addition to his very real failings as Minister for Cooperative Governance, Sicelo Shiceka is in trouble with the ANC because his department repeatedly recognised DA-run municipalities as outstanding models of service delivery. Read more ...
9 May 2011
It has been reported by the Sunday Times that, in addition to his very real failings as Minister for Cooperative Governance, Sicelo Shiceka is in trouble with the ANC because his department repeatedly recognised DA-run municipalities as outstanding models of service delivery. Read more ...
Now open toilet claims hit ANC
2011-05-08 12:59
Johannesburg - The Human Rights Commission is investigating why about 1600 toilets in a Free State municipality have been left without enclosures for the past eight years, the Sunday Times reported.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu told the paper: "We will investigate, and whoever is responsible will have to answer. We cannot allow our people to be disrespected like that. It's even worse if that's being done by an ANC municipality." Read more: news24 ...
DAtanet says, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!"
Johannesburg - The Human Rights Commission is investigating why about 1600 toilets in a Free State municipality have been left without enclosures for the past eight years, the Sunday Times reported.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu told the paper: "We will investigate, and whoever is responsible will have to answer. We cannot allow our people to be disrespected like that. It's even worse if that's being done by an ANC municipality." Read more: news24 ...
DAtanet says, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!"
08 May, 2011
I’m Fony, vote for me!
It’s the month of May, time for the municipal elections. This column will make no effort at pretending that all political parties are equal. Rather, we’ll measure them by the same yardstick: Are they capable of governing with competence and honesty?
To pretend, as some of the younger journalists sometimes do, that all politicalparties should be heard with a straight face, would not be credible. Here’s the bottom line, upfront: The ANC is not capable of deploying sufficient numbers of competent people to govern our cities and towns. South Africa is proof of that. Lies cannot demand the same editorial space as facts.
Which brings us to your candidate for mayor of Cape Town, Comrade Tony Ehrenreich. Or, as he is also affectionately known, Fony Ehrlosreich. KameradEhren Reich. Herr Oberst Erring Reich. Or simply Mr Human because, as you know, to Ehr is Human.
About his opponent, Azanian immigrant Patricia de Lille, I have nothing to say. Although, to be fair, even when she represented Azania in Parliament, Comrade Patricia was a diligent exposer of ANC fraud and corruption. Such as the Arms Scandal. So let’s just say this: The party she now represents has provided good government wherever it came to power. And you don’t have to take my word for it, just consider this:
One province in South Africa run by the DA. The only province actually to use its full budget for infrastructure improvement. In plain English, dear voter, that means delivering the goods. One city in South Africa run by the DA. The best-run city in the country. One municipality in Gauteng run by the DA. Yep, Midvaal judged the best-run local authority in Gauteng. Ditto the Baviaans local authority in the Eastern Cape.
And who is in charge of all those other places, where the taxpayers’ money disappears, the minister’s incompetent girlfriend is appointed at R80 000 a month, the taps are without water, the streets transmogrify into a string of potholes and the sewage run down the streets? You’ve got it. The ANC of Fony Ehrenreich. He is fighting for your right to also live like that.
When I say he is affectionately known as Fony Ehrlosreich, I am not necessarily being sarcastic. Many people have sympathy with him because, shame you know, he has an impossible job. I mean, Helen Zille and her blue T-shirted DA candidates can simply go around telling the truth. How difficult can that be? But poor old, dear old Fony, he dares not mention the truth because the truth about the ANC in government is an ugly being. And smelling of sewage too. Not to mention hazardous and sometimes deadly. As in the ANC’s baby-killing hospitals.
So Fony has to make it up as he goes along. A new lie for every new day, such as the DA discriminating against the poor by building bicycle lanes. In the world according to Fony Ehrenreich, the rich ride bicycles and the poor drive cars. But the reality is that the poor battle to get to work on time because the trains aren’t running. And why not? Yep, that’s the little fact Fony is trying to avoid by complaining about cycle lanes. The trains do not run properly because of ANC mismanagement.
But does Fony complain about that? Of course not. The truth is not his friend. And then he is deeply hurt and outraged about the Cape Town Stadium, which Cosatu wanted at taxpayers’ expense for a political rally on May Day. The price tag for the stadium plus all the services required to cater for a mass meeting would have come to over a million rand, which, in the world of Fony Ehrenreich is proof of the pudding that the DA-run council is conspiring to keep the poor out of the town. The city is a paradise for the elite, says Fony, while the poor can’t come in.
But have no fear, Comrade Fony is fighting for the right of the elite to live just like the poor.
The truth he tried to hide this time, is that Cosatu was charged exactly the same as everybody else, including the 75% discount for Non-Profit Organizations. And what Fony ignores, being of normal ANC intelligence, is that someone has to pay. When his comrade the Minister flies to Switzerland to visit his girlfriend in prison, someone has to pay. And when the stadium is used for a rally, someone has to pay. Why should that someone be the taxpayers of the city instead of Cosatu?
Another piece of information Tony missed in Government 101 is that when you steal from the taxpayers, you don’t steal from those fat-cat whites you so dislike. You steal from the poor, because those stolen taxes are then in your pocket and not available for housing and schools and hospitals and roads and all the rest of the infrastructure provided better in the Western Cape than in ANC country. And on a bad day, when it was really hard to think of a lie, Fony tampered with the wording on DA posters. He had to apologize for that. This serious ANC candidate for a very high-profile position did not know his behavior was unethical.
Also, there was the time when the poor were, ahem, avoided. A point often made about the ANC’s destructive policy of deploying incompetent cadres because they’re somebody’s friends or to meet race quotas, is this: Would an ANC boss go under the knife with a surgeon who had qualified with a distinction in skin colour? Thanks to Fony, we know the answer. When he got really sick, he did not join the poor in a government hospital run down by the ANC. Then, only a private hospital was good enough.
But we cannot really blame him for that. I mean, subjecting yourself to the results of ANC government could be life-threatening.
And, as a horrified nation now knows, it could also be life-threatening to protest against the corruption and delivery failures of the ANC government. As with Hector Pieterson in 1976, we are in 2011 again staring with disbelief at the picture of an unarmed protestor dying in the arms of a crying and distraught comrade, dying after he was assaulted and shot by the police.
Yes, dear reader, Andries Tatane’s horrible death in the dusty streets of Ficksburg − that is how far the reality of ANC failure has come from the fiction of ANC propaganda.
And now that we are serious, we should take note of yet another threat by the ANC against our democracy. The persistent, racist assault against our judiciary, the high courts of our land that form our final defence against injustice and tyranny.
In pursuance of its goal to dominate every aspect of our lives through control of all the levers of state power, the courts are a very important target for the ANC’s national democratic revolution. Thus we have seen that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) left vacancies on the Western Cape bench vacant rather than appoint white judges.
Last month the JSC interviewed seven candidates for three appointments to the Cape High Court. Only one of the candidates was black. He was the only one appointed. The other two appointments were not made, even though the candidates included members of the Cape Bar who are deeply experienced, knowledgeable and respected senior counsel.
Let there be no doubt that the ANC-dominated JSC has failed South Africa.
These were blatantly racist decisions, no more, no less. The threat is ANC tyranny.
From: On the Contrary, Pieter Schoombee’s column for Cape Business News, May 2011
To pretend, as some of the younger journalists sometimes do, that all politicalparties should be heard with a straight face, would not be credible. Here’s the bottom line, upfront: The ANC is not capable of deploying sufficient numbers of competent people to govern our cities and towns. South Africa is proof of that. Lies cannot demand the same editorial space as facts.
Which brings us to your candidate for mayor of Cape Town, Comrade Tony Ehrenreich. Or, as he is also affectionately known, Fony Ehrlosreich. KameradEhren Reich. Herr Oberst Erring Reich. Or simply Mr Human because, as you know, to Ehr is Human.
About his opponent, Azanian immigrant Patricia de Lille, I have nothing to say. Although, to be fair, even when she represented Azania in Parliament, Comrade Patricia was a diligent exposer of ANC fraud and corruption. Such as the Arms Scandal. So let’s just say this: The party she now represents has provided good government wherever it came to power. And you don’t have to take my word for it, just consider this:
One province in South Africa run by the DA. The only province actually to use its full budget for infrastructure improvement. In plain English, dear voter, that means delivering the goods. One city in South Africa run by the DA. The best-run city in the country. One municipality in Gauteng run by the DA. Yep, Midvaal judged the best-run local authority in Gauteng. Ditto the Baviaans local authority in the Eastern Cape.
And who is in charge of all those other places, where the taxpayers’ money disappears, the minister’s incompetent girlfriend is appointed at R80 000 a month, the taps are without water, the streets transmogrify into a string of potholes and the sewage run down the streets? You’ve got it. The ANC of Fony Ehrenreich. He is fighting for your right to also live like that.
When I say he is affectionately known as Fony Ehrlosreich, I am not necessarily being sarcastic. Many people have sympathy with him because, shame you know, he has an impossible job. I mean, Helen Zille and her blue T-shirted DA candidates can simply go around telling the truth. How difficult can that be? But poor old, dear old Fony, he dares not mention the truth because the truth about the ANC in government is an ugly being. And smelling of sewage too. Not to mention hazardous and sometimes deadly. As in the ANC’s baby-killing hospitals.
So Fony has to make it up as he goes along. A new lie for every new day, such as the DA discriminating against the poor by building bicycle lanes. In the world according to Fony Ehrenreich, the rich ride bicycles and the poor drive cars. But the reality is that the poor battle to get to work on time because the trains aren’t running. And why not? Yep, that’s the little fact Fony is trying to avoid by complaining about cycle lanes. The trains do not run properly because of ANC mismanagement.
But does Fony complain about that? Of course not. The truth is not his friend. And then he is deeply hurt and outraged about the Cape Town Stadium, which Cosatu wanted at taxpayers’ expense for a political rally on May Day. The price tag for the stadium plus all the services required to cater for a mass meeting would have come to over a million rand, which, in the world of Fony Ehrenreich is proof of the pudding that the DA-run council is conspiring to keep the poor out of the town. The city is a paradise for the elite, says Fony, while the poor can’t come in.
But have no fear, Comrade Fony is fighting for the right of the elite to live just like the poor.
The truth he tried to hide this time, is that Cosatu was charged exactly the same as everybody else, including the 75% discount for Non-Profit Organizations. And what Fony ignores, being of normal ANC intelligence, is that someone has to pay. When his comrade the Minister flies to Switzerland to visit his girlfriend in prison, someone has to pay. And when the stadium is used for a rally, someone has to pay. Why should that someone be the taxpayers of the city instead of Cosatu?
Another piece of information Tony missed in Government 101 is that when you steal from the taxpayers, you don’t steal from those fat-cat whites you so dislike. You steal from the poor, because those stolen taxes are then in your pocket and not available for housing and schools and hospitals and roads and all the rest of the infrastructure provided better in the Western Cape than in ANC country. And on a bad day, when it was really hard to think of a lie, Fony tampered with the wording on DA posters. He had to apologize for that. This serious ANC candidate for a very high-profile position did not know his behavior was unethical.
Also, there was the time when the poor were, ahem, avoided. A point often made about the ANC’s destructive policy of deploying incompetent cadres because they’re somebody’s friends or to meet race quotas, is this: Would an ANC boss go under the knife with a surgeon who had qualified with a distinction in skin colour? Thanks to Fony, we know the answer. When he got really sick, he did not join the poor in a government hospital run down by the ANC. Then, only a private hospital was good enough.
But we cannot really blame him for that. I mean, subjecting yourself to the results of ANC government could be life-threatening.
And, as a horrified nation now knows, it could also be life-threatening to protest against the corruption and delivery failures of the ANC government. As with Hector Pieterson in 1976, we are in 2011 again staring with disbelief at the picture of an unarmed protestor dying in the arms of a crying and distraught comrade, dying after he was assaulted and shot by the police.
Yes, dear reader, Andries Tatane’s horrible death in the dusty streets of Ficksburg − that is how far the reality of ANC failure has come from the fiction of ANC propaganda.
And now that we are serious, we should take note of yet another threat by the ANC against our democracy. The persistent, racist assault against our judiciary, the high courts of our land that form our final defence against injustice and tyranny.
In pursuance of its goal to dominate every aspect of our lives through control of all the levers of state power, the courts are a very important target for the ANC’s national democratic revolution. Thus we have seen that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) left vacancies on the Western Cape bench vacant rather than appoint white judges.
Last month the JSC interviewed seven candidates for three appointments to the Cape High Court. Only one of the candidates was black. He was the only one appointed. The other two appointments were not made, even though the candidates included members of the Cape Bar who are deeply experienced, knowledgeable and respected senior counsel.
Let there be no doubt that the ANC-dominated JSC has failed South Africa.
These were blatantly racist decisions, no more, no less. The threat is ANC tyranny.
From: On the Contrary, Pieter Schoombee’s column for Cape Business News, May 2011
06 May, 2011
ANC man taunts Zille with 'white' talk
2011-05-05
Port Elizabeth - A member of the ANC's Eastern Cape provincial legislature taunted DA leader Helen Zille with remarks about her “white” party as she spoke to residents of Helenvale outside Port Elizabeth on Thursday morning. Read more: news24 ...
[See also "Zille stippel ANC-strategie uit"]
Port Elizabeth - A member of the ANC's Eastern Cape provincial legislature taunted DA leader Helen Zille with remarks about her “white” party as she spoke to residents of Helenvale outside Port Elizabeth on Thursday morning. Read more: news24 ...
[See also "Zille stippel ANC-strategie uit"]
Rassisme verdeel Kapenaars soos Berlynse muur, sê Mbalula
2011-05-06
Philda Essop
Khayelitsha - Rassisme is soos ’n “Berlynse muur” wat gemeenskappe in Kaapstad verdeel.
Mnr. Fikile Mbalula, die ANC-hoof van organisasie en mobilisasie, het gister dié boodskap gehad vir honderde ANC-vrywilligers wat die O.R. Tambo-saal hier volgepak het. Lees verder: Die Burger
[Lees ook "Zille stippel ANC-strategie uit"]
Philda Essop
Khayelitsha - Rassisme is soos ’n “Berlynse muur” wat gemeenskappe in Kaapstad verdeel.
Mnr. Fikile Mbalula, die ANC-hoof van organisasie en mobilisasie, het gister dié boodskap gehad vir honderde ANC-vrywilligers wat die O.R. Tambo-saal hier volgepak het. Lees verder: Die Burger
[Lees ook "Zille stippel ANC-strategie uit"]
Zille stippel ANC-strategie uit
DA-leier, Helen Zille, het gisteraand gewaarsku dat die ANC tot 18 Mei alles in sy vermoë sal doen om kiesers se aandag te probeer aflei van hulle swak prestasie met betrekking tot die lewering van noodsaaklike dienste aan armes.
“Die ANC sal ongetwyfeld die klem plaas op emosionele sake soos ras en apartheid wat die potensiaal het om ‘n wig in te dryf tussen bevolkingsgroepe,” het Zille aan ‘n groot groep kiesers van die Kouga op St. Francisbaai gesê.
“Die ANC sal ongetwyfeld die klem plaas op emosionele sake soos ras en apartheid wat die potensiaal het om ‘n wig in te dryf tussen bevolkingsgroepe,” het Zille aan ‘n groot groep kiesers van die Kouga op St. Francisbaai gesê.
05 May, 2011
Wee die ANC as Oos-Kaap nies
2011-05-02
Zelda Jongbloed
In die voor-1994-era was daar ’n sêding in die Oos-Kaap wat in die politieke klimaat wat tans daar heers, koue rillings langs menige rug sal afstuur: “As die Oos-Kaap nies, kry die res van die land die verkoue.”
Die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro is die een metropool wat die gevaar loop om uit ANC-hande te glip. Die eerste aanduiding dat die ANC nie te gerus behoort te wees oor hoe aantreklik die party nog vir Baaise kiesers is nie, was in die algemene verkiesing in 2009 toe die party se Oos-Kaapse steun met 15% gekrimp het tot 48%. Lees verder: nuus24
Zelda Jongbloed
In die voor-1994-era was daar ’n sêding in die Oos-Kaap wat in die politieke klimaat wat tans daar heers, koue rillings langs menige rug sal afstuur: “As die Oos-Kaap nies, kry die res van die land die verkoue.”
Die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro is die een metropool wat die gevaar loop om uit ANC-hande te glip. Die eerste aanduiding dat die ANC nie te gerus behoort te wees oor hoe aantreklik die party nog vir Baaise kiesers is nie, was in die algemene verkiesing in 2009 toe die party se Oos-Kaapse steun met 15% gekrimp het tot 48%. Lees verder: nuus24
Elections 2011: DA presents Track Record of Delivery for All
James Selfe, DA Federal Chairperson
4 May 2011
Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is releasing the third, and final, major document of our 2011 Municipal Election campaign. Our “Track Record of Delivery for All”, which is available for download online, follows the “Cape Town Story” and “Local Government Manifesto 2011”. We believe it typifies what the Democratic Alliance stands for, what we have achieved, and what we can bring to municipalities across South Africa: service delivery excellence for all the people. It is a document that speaks to our vision of a society in which all South Africans have the opportunities and freedoms to be able to make of their lives what they wish – and, critically, how it is that we have gone about working towards that goal wherever we govern. Read more ...
4 May 2011
Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) is releasing the third, and final, major document of our 2011 Municipal Election campaign. Our “Track Record of Delivery for All”, which is available for download online, follows the “Cape Town Story” and “Local Government Manifesto 2011”. We believe it typifies what the Democratic Alliance stands for, what we have achieved, and what we can bring to municipalities across South Africa: service delivery excellence for all the people. It is a document that speaks to our vision of a society in which all South Africans have the opportunities and freedoms to be able to make of their lives what they wish – and, critically, how it is that we have gone about working towards that goal wherever we govern. Read more ...
Zuma swyg wyl ANC trap op demokrasie
2011-05-01
Die intimidasie van die DA deur ANC-ondersteuners in die munisipale verkiesing neem ’n onrusbarende patroon aan. Lees verder: Beeld ...
Die intimidasie van die DA deur ANC-ondersteuners in die munisipale verkiesing neem ’n onrusbarende patroon aan. Lees verder: Beeld ...
04 May, 2011
DA: Swart stemme kan verdriedubbel
2011-05-03
Kaapstad – Ondersteuning van die DA onder swart stemmers het byna verdriedubbel in die aanloop tot die plaaslike verkiesings, het partystrateeg Ryan Coetzee Dinsdag gesê. Lees verder: nuus24 ...
Kaapstad – Ondersteuning van die DA onder swart stemmers het byna verdriedubbel in die aanloop tot die plaaslike verkiesings, het partystrateeg Ryan Coetzee Dinsdag gesê. Lees verder: nuus24 ...
No five star hotel stays for our MECs - Helen Zille
03 May 2011
Today, I am pleased to present the Western Cape ministerial handbook recently approved by the Provincial Cabinet. Since coming into office in 2009, our administration has introduced a number of initiatives that underscore our commitment to clean and efficient government. Last year, we passed the Business Interests of Employees Act to prevent all government employees and their families from doing business with the state.
We have also strengthened our Forensic Investigation Unit to ensure that cases of corruption in provincial departments can be better detected, investigated and prosecuted. The Western Cape Ministerial Handbook is our latest initiative. There have been numerous media stories on excessive spending by National Ministers on lengthy stays at five star hotels, purchasing expensive vehicles and throwing lavish parties.
When questioned on spending taxpayer's money in this way many of them refer to the current ministerial handbook produced by the national Department Public Service and Administration and say "The handbook says I can." In other words, the current ministerial handbook (which applies to all national ministers and provincial MECs) facilitates and legalises this form of power abuse.
That is why we have developed our own provincial ministerial handbook in line with the 'no frills' ethos of this government. Western Cape provincial MECs will be bound by these tighter rules and regulations. Read more: Politicsweb ...
Today, I am pleased to present the Western Cape ministerial handbook recently approved by the Provincial Cabinet. Since coming into office in 2009, our administration has introduced a number of initiatives that underscore our commitment to clean and efficient government. Last year, we passed the Business Interests of Employees Act to prevent all government employees and their families from doing business with the state.
We have also strengthened our Forensic Investigation Unit to ensure that cases of corruption in provincial departments can be better detected, investigated and prosecuted. The Western Cape Ministerial Handbook is our latest initiative. There have been numerous media stories on excessive spending by National Ministers on lengthy stays at five star hotels, purchasing expensive vehicles and throwing lavish parties.
When questioned on spending taxpayer's money in this way many of them refer to the current ministerial handbook produced by the national Department Public Service and Administration and say "The handbook says I can." In other words, the current ministerial handbook (which applies to all national ministers and provincial MECs) facilitates and legalises this form of power abuse.
That is why we have developed our own provincial ministerial handbook in line with the 'no frills' ethos of this government. Western Cape provincial MECs will be bound by these tighter rules and regulations. Read more: Politicsweb ...
03 May, 2011
From the DA archives #5
May the 18th is the Local Government Elections. The DA is ready to show you that our offer of clean and effective service delivery unlocks opportunity and delivers a better life for all the rainbow people of South Africa.
'Jesus was ’n kommunis, Hy voed 5 000 mense'
2011-05-02
Kaapstad. – “Jesus was ’n kommunis”, “God het pres. Jacob Zuma as staatshoof gesalf” en die ANC, die vakverbond Cosatu en die SAKP is die “Heilige Drie-eenheid”, het ’n pastoor gistermiddag op die regerende alliansie se Werkersdagbyeenkoms in Athlone verklaar. Lees verder: nuus24 ...
Kaapstad. – “Jesus was ’n kommunis”, “God het pres. Jacob Zuma as staatshoof gesalf” en die ANC, die vakverbond Cosatu en die SAKP is die “Heilige Drie-eenheid”, het ’n pastoor gistermiddag op die regerende alliansie se Werkersdagbyeenkoms in Athlone verklaar. Lees verder: nuus24 ...
30 April, 2011
'Deel jul grond, boere’
2011-04-29 23:00
Lizel Steenkamp en Liesl Peyper
As boere die meerderheid van hul grond aan die armes afstaan, het hulle geen rede om misdadigers of plaasaanvalle te vrees nie, het mnr. Julius Malema, ANC-jeugleier, gisteraand gesê. Lees verder: Beeld ...
Lizel Steenkamp en Liesl Peyper
As boere die meerderheid van hul grond aan die armes afstaan, het hulle geen rede om misdadigers of plaasaanvalle te vrees nie, het mnr. Julius Malema, ANC-jeugleier, gisteraand gesê. Lees verder: Beeld ...
'Rykes met vakansiehuise moet armes help'
2011-04-29 09:23
Alicestine October
Greyton - Ryk eienaars van vakansiehuise behoort ingespan te word om die lewensgehalte van armes te help verbeter, het Trevor Manuel, lid van die ANC se nasionale uitvoerende komitee, Donderdag gesê.
Manuel het as deel van die ANC se verkiesingsveldtog besoeke aan arm inwoners in Caledon, Greyton en Grabouw gebring. Lees verder: nuus 24 ...
Alicestine October
Greyton - Ryk eienaars van vakansiehuise behoort ingespan te word om die lewensgehalte van armes te help verbeter, het Trevor Manuel, lid van die ANC se nasionale uitvoerende komitee, Donderdag gesê.
Manuel het as deel van die ANC se verkiesingsveldtog besoeke aan arm inwoners in Caledon, Greyton en Grabouw gebring. Lees verder: nuus 24 ...
29 April, 2011
Vandag se goeie nuus: sprokiestroue vir William en Catherine
2011-04-29 13:27
Londen – Dis amptelik: Prins William en sy Catherine is in die huwelik bevestig in 'n swierige koninklike seremonie by die Westminster-abdy in Londen, wat bygewoon is deur 'n magdom koninklikes, bekendes, vriende en familie.
William en Catherine het aan mekaar trou beloof in 'n stampvol Westminster-abdy, terwyl sowat een miljoen mense die strate van Londen volgepak het, en twee miljard kykers televisieskerms oor die wêreld dopgehou het. Lees verder: nuus 24 ...
Londen – Dis amptelik: Prins William en sy Catherine is in die huwelik bevestig in 'n swierige koninklike seremonie by die Westminster-abdy in Londen, wat bygewoon is deur 'n magdom koninklikes, bekendes, vriende en familie.
William en Catherine het aan mekaar trou beloof in 'n stampvol Westminster-abdy, terwyl sowat een miljoen mense die strate van Londen volgepak het, en twee miljard kykers televisieskerms oor die wêreld dopgehou het. Lees verder: nuus 24 ...
28 April, 2011
ANC led Kouga Municipality involved in unlawful acts
Piet Liebenberg
OUR TIMES – Your community newspaper
April 29, 2011
In his report on the financial statements and other regulatory requirements of the Kouga Municipality (KM) for the financial year ending 20 June 2010 the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa has accused the KM of non-compliance with and transgressions of a host of rules and regulations as required by municipal acts. The KM is still to make public this damning report they received more than two months ago on 24 February.
In his report, the AG found that the KM
• unlawfully loaned money to employees and councillors;
• did not supply evidence that Council approved “fruitless expenditure amounting to R21.4 million” incurred to do remedial work on the Kruisfontein and Kwanozamo housing projects;
• did not implement an effective revenue system, and had not taken the necessary action in terms of the council’s credit control policy to disconnect services for long-outstanding debtors.
• failed to provide Council approval for over expenditure of R75.1 million on bad debts, overspending on employee related costs, grants and subsidies and interest charges;
• failed to submit bank account details to the AG as required;
• did not promptly notify the National Treasury in the prescribed format of the amount by which the accounts are overdrawn and the reason for it;
• failed to not provide evidence that unauthorized, irregular as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure was reported to the MEC, the Mayor as well as the AG; and
• implemented inefficient processes to investigate and act against officials on discipline/criminal charges.
The KM spokesman, Mfundo Sobele, said that the Auditor General’s report must first be presented to the audit steering and oversight committees before making it public.
OUR TIMES – Your community newspaper
April 29, 2011
In his report on the financial statements and other regulatory requirements of the Kouga Municipality (KM) for the financial year ending 20 June 2010 the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa has accused the KM of non-compliance with and transgressions of a host of rules and regulations as required by municipal acts. The KM is still to make public this damning report they received more than two months ago on 24 February.
In his report, the AG found that the KM
• unlawfully loaned money to employees and councillors;
• did not supply evidence that Council approved “fruitless expenditure amounting to R21.4 million” incurred to do remedial work on the Kruisfontein and Kwanozamo housing projects;
• did not implement an effective revenue system, and had not taken the necessary action in terms of the council’s credit control policy to disconnect services for long-outstanding debtors.
• failed to provide Council approval for over expenditure of R75.1 million on bad debts, overspending on employee related costs, grants and subsidies and interest charges;
• failed to submit bank account details to the AG as required;
• did not promptly notify the National Treasury in the prescribed format of the amount by which the accounts are overdrawn and the reason for it;
• failed to not provide evidence that unauthorized, irregular as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure was reported to the MEC, the Mayor as well as the AG; and
• implemented inefficient processes to investigate and act against officials on discipline/criminal charges.
The KM spokesman, Mfundo Sobele, said that the Auditor General’s report must first be presented to the audit steering and oversight committees before making it public.
26 April, 2011
Our formula to fix local govt - Helen Zille
25 April 2011
[Note: This is an extract of a speech prepared for delivery at a public meeting in Witbank, Mpumalanga.]
Some people in government think that fighting poverty is about coming up with complex policies with important-sounding names and acronyms like RDP, GEAR, ASGISA, JIPSA and the New Growth Path.
They don't understand that half the battle is simply getting the basics of government right. If they spent more time focusing on the basics and less time coming up with grand new schemes, we could win the war against poverty.
Our approach where we govern is to get the basics right. It doesn't sound very impressive, but it works. It's a simple formula that will, over time, roll back poverty in our country. It goes something like this:
1. Appoint the right people in the right places. Cadre deployment destroys service delivery.
2. Open up all government processes to get rid of corruption because corruption destroys service delivery. Corruption is stealing from the poor.
3. Cut out all wasteful expenditure on items that don't benefit the people. Luxury cars for Mayors are not a priority.
4. Sort out the financial management systems to ensure that revenue is collected and debt is reduced. If people who can pay for services don't pay, service delivery grinds to a halt.
5. Prioritise the development and maintenance of bulk infrastructure such as power stations, sewerage plants and water pipes. When these are neglected the taps run dry, sewage spills into the streets and the lights go out. And businesses move elsewhere, taking jobs with them.
6. Focus on improving the conditions of the poor, starting with basic services. Those who qualify should get free basic services so that they can live with dignity and emerge from poverty.
This is the formula we apply in the places we govern. Read more: Politicsweb ...
[Note: This is an extract of a speech prepared for delivery at a public meeting in Witbank, Mpumalanga.]
Some people in government think that fighting poverty is about coming up with complex policies with important-sounding names and acronyms like RDP, GEAR, ASGISA, JIPSA and the New Growth Path.
They don't understand that half the battle is simply getting the basics of government right. If they spent more time focusing on the basics and less time coming up with grand new schemes, we could win the war against poverty.
Our approach where we govern is to get the basics right. It doesn't sound very impressive, but it works. It's a simple formula that will, over time, roll back poverty in our country. It goes something like this:
1. Appoint the right people in the right places. Cadre deployment destroys service delivery.
2. Open up all government processes to get rid of corruption because corruption destroys service delivery. Corruption is stealing from the poor.
3. Cut out all wasteful expenditure on items that don't benefit the people. Luxury cars for Mayors are not a priority.
4. Sort out the financial management systems to ensure that revenue is collected and debt is reduced. If people who can pay for services don't pay, service delivery grinds to a halt.
5. Prioritise the development and maintenance of bulk infrastructure such as power stations, sewerage plants and water pipes. When these are neglected the taps run dry, sewage spills into the streets and the lights go out. And businesses move elsewhere, taking jobs with them.
6. Focus on improving the conditions of the poor, starting with basic services. Those who qualify should get free basic services so that they can live with dignity and emerge from poverty.
This is the formula we apply in the places we govern. Read more: Politicsweb ...
25 April, 2011
ANC 'promises municipal jobs'
20 April 2011
Rochelle de Kock
In a desperate bid to hold on to power in Nelson Mandela Bay, ANC leaders in the city yesterday pleaded with councillors to bolster the party’s campaign in exchange for jobs after the May 18 election. Read more: The Herald Online ...
Rochelle de Kock
In a desperate bid to hold on to power in Nelson Mandela Bay, ANC leaders in the city yesterday pleaded with councillors to bolster the party’s campaign in exchange for jobs after the May 18 election. Read more: The Herald Online ...
Why the Freedom Front's election slogan is irresponsible
Apr 25, 2011
[The following was taken from the Local Government Bulletin, April 2011. The editor is Prof. Jaap De Visser, co-ordinator of the Local Democracy, Peace and Human Security Project at the University of the Western Cape]
The upcoming local government elections are a critical milestone for democracy in South Africa. Perhaps for the first time, there will be real choice and in quite a number of municipalities, it will be a close call.
Political parties should act responsibly in using election rhetoric.
The Freedom Front Plus has adopted the slogan ‘no services, no rates’. It suggests, at the very least, sympathy with ratepayers who are withholding their rates payments in protest against poor service delivery.
However, the Freedom Front Plus has some explaining to do. The Constitutional Court has made it clear that the relationship between a municipality and a member of its community is not simply a contract that can be suspended.
Instead, it is governed by the Constitution. Unsatisfactory service by Home Affairs does not entitle anyone to stop paying income tax, and nor do failures of a municipality entitle anyone to stop paying property tax.
The Constitution offers communities representative and participatory democracy in the form of regular elections and community participation so that they may hold the leadership of a municipality accountable. Read more ...
[The following was taken from the Local Government Bulletin, April 2011. The editor is Prof. Jaap De Visser, co-ordinator of the Local Democracy, Peace and Human Security Project at the University of the Western Cape]
The upcoming local government elections are a critical milestone for democracy in South Africa. Perhaps for the first time, there will be real choice and in quite a number of municipalities, it will be a close call.
Political parties should act responsibly in using election rhetoric.
The Freedom Front Plus has adopted the slogan ‘no services, no rates’. It suggests, at the very least, sympathy with ratepayers who are withholding their rates payments in protest against poor service delivery.
However, the Freedom Front Plus has some explaining to do. The Constitutional Court has made it clear that the relationship between a municipality and a member of its community is not simply a contract that can be suspended.
Instead, it is governed by the Constitution. Unsatisfactory service by Home Affairs does not entitle anyone to stop paying income tax, and nor do failures of a municipality entitle anyone to stop paying property tax.
The Constitution offers communities representative and participatory democracy in the form of regular elections and community participation so that they may hold the leadership of a municipality accountable. Read more ...
23 April, 2011
Splitting the vote
Gaby Theron made an interesting point in the latest edition of Our Times: “Frans van Eeden [representing the Kouga 2000 party] is listed as a candidate in no less than 13 wards, even those considered to be ANC strongholds. It is uncertain what will happen if he wins more than one ward. Will he then be getting double pay for representing two wards in council?”
DAtanet is not particularly concerned about the absurdity of the situation as mentioned by Theron. Essentially we are of the opinion that Van Eeden and Kouga 2000 are being dishonest by going back on their undertaking earlier this year not to contest the municipal election in order to avoid splitting the vote. Their change of heart may result in fewer voters casting their vote for the DA. This, in turn, is likely to result in fewer DA candidates on the proportional list acquiring a seat on Council, thereby effectively returning the ANC to power.
The bottom line is that the DA in the Kouga dare not lose sight of its goal to take control of Council after 18 May in order to rescue the Kouga municipality from the mire of inefficiency and corruption in which it finds itself at present.
DAtanet is not particularly concerned about the absurdity of the situation as mentioned by Theron. Essentially we are of the opinion that Van Eeden and Kouga 2000 are being dishonest by going back on their undertaking earlier this year not to contest the municipal election in order to avoid splitting the vote. Their change of heart may result in fewer voters casting their vote for the DA. This, in turn, is likely to result in fewer DA candidates on the proportional list acquiring a seat on Council, thereby effectively returning the ANC to power.
The bottom line is that the DA in the Kouga dare not lose sight of its goal to take control of Council after 18 May in order to rescue the Kouga municipality from the mire of inefficiency and corruption in which it finds itself at present.
The City of Cape Town has undertaken two general property valuations during the past five years
19 April 2011
The City of Cape Town has undertaken two general property valuations during the past five years, the only metro in the country to do this. In doing so, it has ensured that property rates are more accurate in Cape Town – and thus fairer – because they are up-to-date and reflect the true value of any given property.
The Evidence: The City of Cape Town has improved its rates collection since 2006, all the way up to 96% for the last financial year. Rates make up 24% of the City of Cape Town’s income and pay for services such as the building and maintenance of roads and parks, plus the running of clinics and libraries, as well as fire, rescue and traffic services. Thus, the better one is able to collect rates, the more services one can provide. And, it is fair to say, a high collection rate is reflective not only of an efficient administration but a citizenry willing to pay, because they realise the value in it for them. Obviously, rates must be fair for both the ratepayer and the city. That is why the City of Cape Town implemented two general valuations during the past five years, the only city in the country to do so. This means that property rates are more likely to reflect the true value of a property in Cape Town than elsewhere because they are more up-to-date. In contrast to Cape Town, other metropolitans simply applied to extend the validity of their valuation rolls rather than perform fresh valuations, leading to less reliable rate determinations and less fairness for both parties. Special consideration is given to the poor in Cape Town, who can register for the City’s comprehensive indigent policy, the nature of which has been set out in this previous fact, but which entitles those who qualify to a rates rebate, among numerous other.
[Click here to read the DA election blog designed to set out the DA's service delivery record}
The City of Cape Town has undertaken two general property valuations during the past five years, the only metro in the country to do this. In doing so, it has ensured that property rates are more accurate in Cape Town – and thus fairer – because they are up-to-date and reflect the true value of any given property.
The Evidence: The City of Cape Town has improved its rates collection since 2006, all the way up to 96% for the last financial year. Rates make up 24% of the City of Cape Town’s income and pay for services such as the building and maintenance of roads and parks, plus the running of clinics and libraries, as well as fire, rescue and traffic services. Thus, the better one is able to collect rates, the more services one can provide. And, it is fair to say, a high collection rate is reflective not only of an efficient administration but a citizenry willing to pay, because they realise the value in it for them. Obviously, rates must be fair for both the ratepayer and the city. That is why the City of Cape Town implemented two general valuations during the past five years, the only city in the country to do so. This means that property rates are more likely to reflect the true value of a property in Cape Town than elsewhere because they are more up-to-date. In contrast to Cape Town, other metropolitans simply applied to extend the validity of their valuation rolls rather than perform fresh valuations, leading to less reliable rate determinations and less fairness for both parties. Special consideration is given to the poor in Cape Town, who can register for the City’s comprehensive indigent policy, the nature of which has been set out in this previous fact, but which entitles those who qualify to a rates rebate, among numerous other.
[Click here to read the DA election blog designed to set out the DA's service delivery record}
22 April, 2011
Die gevolge van ‘n verdeelde opposisie
Ondanks verskeie pogings om opposisiepartye te verenig, het die voorsitter van die bestuurskomitee van die DA, Jeffreysbaai-streek, dr. Nico Botha, onlangs daarop gewys dat verskeie opposisiepartye kandidate vir die munisipale verkiesing op 18 Mei benoem het. Benewens die Demokratiese Alliansie, sal Kouga 2000, die Vryheidsfront Plus, die South African Progressive Civic Organisation en verskeie onafhanklike kandidate die ANC die stryd aansê.
“Die DA respekteer die waardes van ander partye sowel as die reg van kiesers om te stem vir die party van hul keuse,” het dr. Botha gesê. “Ek wil egter graag daarop wys dat verdeeldheid waarskynlik in die verlede veroorsaak het dat die ANC beheer oor die Kouga-munisipaliteit behou het.”
Volgens Botha dui die 2006-verkiesingsuitslae daarop dat indien opposiepartye grotendeels saamgestaan het, hulle die helfte van die raadslede sou opgelewer het en die ANC die res. Dit beteken dat die ANC nie carte blanche sou gehad het om die Kouga-munisipaliteit ten gronde te laat gaan nie.
“Die DA respekteer die waardes van ander partye sowel as die reg van kiesers om te stem vir die party van hul keuse,” het dr. Botha gesê. “Ek wil egter graag daarop wys dat verdeeldheid waarskynlik in die verlede veroorsaak het dat die ANC beheer oor die Kouga-munisipaliteit behou het.”
Volgens Botha dui die 2006-verkiesingsuitslae daarop dat indien opposiepartye grotendeels saamgestaan het, hulle die helfte van die raadslede sou opgelewer het en die ANC die res. Dit beteken dat die ANC nie carte blanche sou gehad het om die Kouga-munisipaliteit ten gronde te laat gaan nie.
21 April, 2011
Bruines moet hulself ekonomies bemagtig
2011-04-21 01:00
Jason Lloyd
Die nuwe verskynsel hier vlak voor die plaaslike verkiesings is dat die ANC veral steun verloor onder sy tradisionele bruin middelklas-kiesers, wat ’n minderheid in dié gemeenskap vorm. Die meerderheid bestaan uit die werkersklas en ondersteun hoofsaaklik opposisiepartye soos die DA.
In gesprekke met mense uit die bruin middelklas, debatte op sosiale netwerke en koerantbriewe voer hulle aan die ANC is gestroop van alle redelikheid. Dat die waardesisteem wat die Mandela-generasie geskep en in stand gehou het, deur die Polokwane-populisme vernietig is. Dat die ANC verval het in ’n party waarin korrupsie en onbevoegdheid gedy en wat nie die basiese beginsels van die Grondwet respekteer nie – vernaam dat Suid-Afrika aan ál sy inwoners behoort. Lees verder: Die Burger ...
Jason Lloyd
Die nuwe verskynsel hier vlak voor die plaaslike verkiesings is dat die ANC veral steun verloor onder sy tradisionele bruin middelklas-kiesers, wat ’n minderheid in dié gemeenskap vorm. Die meerderheid bestaan uit die werkersklas en ondersteun hoofsaaklik opposisiepartye soos die DA.
In gesprekke met mense uit die bruin middelklas, debatte op sosiale netwerke en koerantbriewe voer hulle aan die ANC is gestroop van alle redelikheid. Dat die waardesisteem wat die Mandela-generasie geskep en in stand gehou het, deur die Polokwane-populisme vernietig is. Dat die ANC verval het in ’n party waarin korrupsie en onbevoegdheid gedy en wat nie die basiese beginsels van die Grondwet respekteer nie – vernaam dat Suid-Afrika aan ál sy inwoners behoort. Lees verder: Die Burger ...
Bruin werkers dalk hulle werk by die Kouga Munisipaliteit kwyt
Bruin werknemers van die Kouga Munisipaliteit (KM) is bekommerd dat daar in die toekoms teen hulle gediskrimineer gaan word.
Volgens dokumente in Our Times se besit blyk dit dat die Departement van Arbeid meen dat daar tans hopeloos te veel bruin werkers in diens is van die munisipaliteit is en dat in die toekoms voorkeur aan swart mense gegee moet word wanneer nuwe werkers in diens geneem word of wanneer werkers bevorder word.
Die staande komitee van die KM se menslike hulpbronne het ook aanbeveel dat nasionale en provinsiale statistieke van die land se ekomomies aktiewe bevolking gebruik moet word om regstellende aksie te implementeer nadat inspekteurs van die Departement van Arbeid hulle oor die vingers getik het.
Die munisipaliteit was nie bereid om hul regstellende aksieplan vir die Our Times te gee nie.
Prof. Chimpie Cawood, DA-burgemeesterskandidaat sê: “Ons sal nie onoordeelkundige afdankings van bruin personeel op grond van onaanvaarbare nasionale formules duld nie. Die streek se demografie en die posbekleër se kwalifikasies, ondervinding en werksbevoegdheid moet die bepalende faktore wees.”
[Die bostaande is ‘n verkorte weergawe van Piet Liebenberg se artikel “Regstelling dreig” wat op 22 April 2011 in Our Times verskyn het.]
Volgens dokumente in Our Times se besit blyk dit dat die Departement van Arbeid meen dat daar tans hopeloos te veel bruin werkers in diens is van die munisipaliteit is en dat in die toekoms voorkeur aan swart mense gegee moet word wanneer nuwe werkers in diens geneem word of wanneer werkers bevorder word.
Die staande komitee van die KM se menslike hulpbronne het ook aanbeveel dat nasionale en provinsiale statistieke van die land se ekomomies aktiewe bevolking gebruik moet word om regstellende aksie te implementeer nadat inspekteurs van die Departement van Arbeid hulle oor die vingers getik het.
Die munisipaliteit was nie bereid om hul regstellende aksieplan vir die Our Times te gee nie.
Prof. Chimpie Cawood, DA-burgemeesterskandidaat sê: “Ons sal nie onoordeelkundige afdankings van bruin personeel op grond van onaanvaarbare nasionale formules duld nie. Die streek se demografie en die posbekleër se kwalifikasies, ondervinding en werksbevoegdheid moet die bepalende faktore wees.”
[Die bostaande is ‘n verkorte weergawe van Piet Liebenberg se artikel “Regstelling dreig” wat op 22 April 2011 in Our Times verskyn het.]
20 April, 2011
From the DA archives #4
“May 18, 2011 will be a watershed in South Africa's democracy. For the first time since 1994, the DA enters this election as a party with a track record in government. We are no longer just a party of opposition.”
Ficksburg Mayor: Contempt and arrogance have replaced empathy and compassion
Lindiwe Mazibuko, DA National Spokesperson
19 April 2011
In any election there are key moments when a general attitude is captured perfectly by a particular action. Yesterday South Africa bore witness to one such moment, when the mayor of Ficksburg, Mbothoma Maduna, giggling as he pulled from his office refrigerator a bottle of mineral water, said: "People say there is no water in this town. What is this?" Rarely are contempt and arrogance brought together in such a powerful way: a sheer disdain for the public and those people, especially the poor, for whom basic services like access to water are fundamental, not just to their dignity, but their very ability to survive on a day-to-day basis. Read more ...
19 April 2011
In any election there are key moments when a general attitude is captured perfectly by a particular action. Yesterday South Africa bore witness to one such moment, when the mayor of Ficksburg, Mbothoma Maduna, giggling as he pulled from his office refrigerator a bottle of mineral water, said: "People say there is no water in this town. What is this?" Rarely are contempt and arrogance brought together in such a powerful way: a sheer disdain for the public and those people, especially the poor, for whom basic services like access to water are fundamental, not just to their dignity, but their very ability to survive on a day-to-day basis. Read more ...
19 April, 2011
Julius Malema is doing us a favour
2011-04-18 09:45
Chris Moerdyk
When you think about it, Julius Malema and the ANC Youth League is doing South Africa a great service.
Hardly a day goes by without hearing Malema beating a big drum and calling for nationalisation of the mines, for companies to be taken over by the state and all sorts of other demands that white people particularly and a lot of middle class and wealthy blacks see as the worst kind of communist, Zimbabwe-style economic disaster talk.
So, how on earth do I figure that Julius Malema is doing us all such a big favour? Read more: news24 ...
Chris Moerdyk
When you think about it, Julius Malema and the ANC Youth League is doing South Africa a great service.
Hardly a day goes by without hearing Malema beating a big drum and calling for nationalisation of the mines, for companies to be taken over by the state and all sorts of other demands that white people particularly and a lot of middle class and wealthy blacks see as the worst kind of communist, Zimbabwe-style economic disaster talk.
So, how on earth do I figure that Julius Malema is doing us all such a big favour? Read more: news24 ...
Wegblystem hou sleutel
2011-04-14 23:00
Tim du Plessis
Soos die rooi kar altoos elke Sondag die Grand Prix gewen het, so wen die party in groen, geel en swart elke verkiesing in Suid-Afrika.
Die verkiesing op 18 Mei sal nie anders wees nie. Die ANC sal steeds die meeste munisipaliteite in die land beheer.
Tog is daar tekens dat 18 Mei dalk net die begin van ’n keerpunt kan wees. Lees verder: Beeld ...
Tim du Plessis
Soos die rooi kar altoos elke Sondag die Grand Prix gewen het, so wen die party in groen, geel en swart elke verkiesing in Suid-Afrika.
Die verkiesing op 18 Mei sal nie anders wees nie. Die ANC sal steeds die meeste munisipaliteite in die land beheer.
Tog is daar tekens dat 18 Mei dalk net die begin van ’n keerpunt kan wees. Lees verder: Beeld ...
18 April, 2011
Zuma moes Shiceka al vasgevat het
2011-04-17 21:57
Alles wat in die afgelope tien dae onthul is oor die gure professionele en private lewe van min. Sicelo Shiceka sou hom in ’n normale demokrasie tot ’n vinnige en onbesonge val gebring het.
Hy is die politieke hoof van die departement wat moet toesig hou oor munisipale regering.
En dis gemene saak dat die verval in plaaslike regering ’n ramp is van epiese proporsie.
Erge verwaarlosing en ’n gebrek aan die lewering van die mees basiese munisipale dienste.
Terwyl die minister wat moet rigting en leiding gee, vermis is in die aksie. Lees verder: nuus24
Alles wat in die afgelope tien dae onthul is oor die gure professionele en private lewe van min. Sicelo Shiceka sou hom in ’n normale demokrasie tot ’n vinnige en onbesonge val gebring het.
Hy is die politieke hoof van die departement wat moet toesig hou oor munisipale regering.
En dis gemene saak dat die verval in plaaslike regering ’n ramp is van epiese proporsie.
Erge verwaarlosing en ’n gebrek aan die lewering van die mees basiese munisipale dienste.
Terwyl die minister wat moet rigting en leiding gee, vermis is in die aksie. Lees verder: nuus24
Anger at minister’s mansion
18 April 2011
Michael Kimberley
Under fire Co-operative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka has evoked anger across Transkei for building a mansion in the poorest district of the Eastern Cape.
The village, Ingquza Hill, lacks any kind of service delivery. However, this has not affected the construction of Shiceka’s new house which is being built at a "steady pace".
Now residents in the village are threatening a "massive revolt similar to Egypt and Libya" if construction is not stopped.
According to a Sunday Times report, municipal trucks cart in water, a tarred road is being rerouted past his house and the property will be among the first to be electrified. Read more: Dispatchonline
Michael Kimberley
Under fire Co-operative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka has evoked anger across Transkei for building a mansion in the poorest district of the Eastern Cape.
The village, Ingquza Hill, lacks any kind of service delivery. However, this has not affected the construction of Shiceka’s new house which is being built at a "steady pace".
Now residents in the village are threatening a "massive revolt similar to Egypt and Libya" if construction is not stopped.
According to a Sunday Times report, municipal trucks cart in water, a tarred road is being rerouted past his house and the property will be among the first to be electrified. Read more: Dispatchonline
17 April, 2011
Die verkiesing lyk droewig vir ANC
2011-04-16 16:13
Harald Pakendorf
Om ’n verkiesingsuitslag ’n maand voor die tyd te probeer voorspel is baie gevaarlik.
Tog is dit net moontlik dat 18 Mei die datum sal wees waarop die ANC sy eerste groot skrik gaan kry.
Dit sal ’n voortsetting wees van ’n tendens wat met die vorige algemene verkiesing reeds duidelik begin word het.
Die ANC het nasionaal swakker gevaar as voorheen, het nog slegter op provinsiale vlak gedoen en in die stede nog vrotter.
Hierdie verkiesing word juis op plaaslike vlak gevoer en dinge lyk nie goed vir die regerende party nie.
Maar eers: Natuurlik sal die ANC steeds verreweg die meeste stede en dorpe beheer ná die verkiesing.
Dit gaan hier egter oor ’n tendens – en dié is afwaarts vir die regerende party. Lees verder: Rapport ...
Harald Pakendorf
Om ’n verkiesingsuitslag ’n maand voor die tyd te probeer voorspel is baie gevaarlik.
Tog is dit net moontlik dat 18 Mei die datum sal wees waarop die ANC sy eerste groot skrik gaan kry.
Dit sal ’n voortsetting wees van ’n tendens wat met die vorige algemene verkiesing reeds duidelik begin word het.
Die ANC het nasionaal swakker gevaar as voorheen, het nog slegter op provinsiale vlak gedoen en in die stede nog vrotter.
Hierdie verkiesing word juis op plaaslike vlak gevoer en dinge lyk nie goed vir die regerende party nie.
Maar eers: Natuurlik sal die ANC steeds verreweg die meeste stede en dorpe beheer ná die verkiesing.
Dit gaan hier egter oor ’n tendens – en dié is afwaarts vir die regerende party. Lees verder: Rapport ...
16 April, 2011
Chief Financial Officer appointed by ANC-led Kouga Council, suspended
Ridwaan Abdullah, the Chief Financial Officer of the Kouga Municipality (KM) has been suspended ahead of the tabling of a damning report from the Attorney-General (AG) which exposes a number of serious financial and procedural irregularities.
The AG rapped the KM over the knuckles for not taking corrective action against Abdullah for his involvement in the pre-paid electricity debacle. They refer to a KPMG forensic audit that revealed he was involved in all stages of the tender process without declaring that his brother-in-law was a co-owner of the company that was eventually awarded the tender. KPMG recommended that he should have withdrawn from the process. Instead, he allegedly took possession of the bid documents, compiled the assessment report, acted as chairman of the Bid Evaluation Committee and attended the Bid Adjudication meeting where the tender was awarded. In their report, KPMG recommended that corrective action be taken. Electro-on-the-Move, the company that was awarded the tender, subsequently defaulted on payment of more than R6 million and it is speculated that this triggered the KM’s current debt problems with Eskom. The AG also reported that there were inadequate controls over activities performed by service organizations, including the supplier of prepaid electricity and he expressed concern that nothing was done about irregular expenditure of R27 million incurred during 2008/2009.
Dr. Eddie Rankwana, Municipal Manager, has confirmed that Abdullah will be on precautionary leave for a month while a forensic audit is done by an outside company. Carlien Burger, the KM’s Risk and Compliance Manager will be acting CFO in Abdullah’s absence.
This is a condensed version of the original report by Piet Liebenberg
OUR TIMES – Kouga’s community newspaper
15 April 2011
The AG rapped the KM over the knuckles for not taking corrective action against Abdullah for his involvement in the pre-paid electricity debacle. They refer to a KPMG forensic audit that revealed he was involved in all stages of the tender process without declaring that his brother-in-law was a co-owner of the company that was eventually awarded the tender. KPMG recommended that he should have withdrawn from the process. Instead, he allegedly took possession of the bid documents, compiled the assessment report, acted as chairman of the Bid Evaluation Committee and attended the Bid Adjudication meeting where the tender was awarded. In their report, KPMG recommended that corrective action be taken. Electro-on-the-Move, the company that was awarded the tender, subsequently defaulted on payment of more than R6 million and it is speculated that this triggered the KM’s current debt problems with Eskom. The AG also reported that there were inadequate controls over activities performed by service organizations, including the supplier of prepaid electricity and he expressed concern that nothing was done about irregular expenditure of R27 million incurred during 2008/2009.
Dr. Eddie Rankwana, Municipal Manager, has confirmed that Abdullah will be on precautionary leave for a month while a forensic audit is done by an outside company. Carlien Burger, the KM’s Risk and Compliance Manager will be acting CFO in Abdullah’s absence.
This is a condensed version of the original report by Piet Liebenberg
OUR TIMES – Kouga’s community newspaper
15 April 2011
This week's good news
Political parties to promote tolerance ahead of poll
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
The Leaders of the different political parties who will be contesting this year's Local Government Elections have all pledged to ensure a political environment free of violence and intimidation ahead of the 18 May election. Read more ...
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
The Leaders of the different political parties who will be contesting this year's Local Government Elections have all pledged to ensure a political environment free of violence and intimidation ahead of the 18 May election. Read more ...
Uit die DA-argief #3
“In hierdie verkiesing [op 18 Mei 2011] is dit ons taak om te sorg dat alle Suid-Afrikaners al die feite rakende die vergelykende diensleweringsrekords het voordat hulle op 18 Mei hul kruisies op hul stembriefies trek. Voor dié dag sal elkeen wat ’n kruisie gaan trek, weet dat die DA die enigste party is wat in werklikheid stap vir stap ’n beter lewe vir almal lewer. Goeie bestuur maak ’n groot verskil in mense se lewens.
Die ANC se benadering is heeltemal anders. Die ANC weet hy sal met ’n vergelyking van prestasies sleg tweede kom. Hy weet die meeste kiesers, selfs al het hulle die vorige keer vir die ANC gestem, weet die ANC het hulle in die steek gelaat.”
Die ANC se benadering is heeltemal anders. Die ANC weet hy sal met ’n vergelyking van prestasies sleg tweede kom. Hy weet die meeste kiesers, selfs al het hulle die vorige keer vir die ANC gestem, weet die ANC het hulle in die steek gelaat.”
15 April, 2011
Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie se lys van kandidate vir die munisipale verkiesing op 18 Mei
Klik gerus hier indien u meer te wete wil kom van die Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie se lys van kandidate vir die munisipale verkiesing op 18 Mei. Die skakel sal u neem na die OVK se webtuiste waar u die name kandidate van Kouga (en elders) kan kry.
14 April, 2011
ANC shambles hits the public
14 April 2011
Sabelo Skiti and Sino Majangaza
The ANC’s election list saga took an ugly twist yesterday when hundreds of school children were forced to boycott school following orders from the organisation’s leaders.
Schooling in Flagstaff ground to a halt because ANC leaders in the area were disgruntled over last-minute changes to their ward candidate for the May elec tions. Read more: Dispatchonline ...
Sabelo Skiti and Sino Majangaza
The ANC’s election list saga took an ugly twist yesterday when hundreds of school children were forced to boycott school following orders from the organisation’s leaders.
Schooling in Flagstaff ground to a halt because ANC leaders in the area were disgruntled over last-minute changes to their ward candidate for the May elec tions. Read more: Dispatchonline ...
ANC is sy eie grootste vyand, nie media nie
2011-04-13 23:00
Niemand glo die regerende party gaan die munisipale verkiesing verloor nie. Maar dit raak by die dag duideliker die ANC is erg benoud.
Eergister het nog ’n aanduiding daarvan gekom toe mnr. Gwede Mantashe, sekretaris-generaal, verklaar het die ANC se topleiers glo “die media” is die ANC se grootste opposisie in die verkiesing. Nie die DA of ander opposisiepartye nie.
Om die boodskapper die skuld te gee is ’n sekere teken van benoudheid. Hierin blink niemand meer uit as politici nie.
Dis toleransie vir korrupsie, ongeërgdheid oor doeltreffende regering, faksietwiste en selfverryking wat kiesers laat wegstaan van die ANC. Nie die media nie. Lees verder: Beeld ...
Niemand glo die regerende party gaan die munisipale verkiesing verloor nie. Maar dit raak by die dag duideliker die ANC is erg benoud.
Eergister het nog ’n aanduiding daarvan gekom toe mnr. Gwede Mantashe, sekretaris-generaal, verklaar het die ANC se topleiers glo “die media” is die ANC se grootste opposisie in die verkiesing. Nie die DA of ander opposisiepartye nie.
Om die boodskapper die skuld te gee is ’n sekere teken van benoudheid. Hierin blink niemand meer uit as politici nie.
Dis toleransie vir korrupsie, ongeërgdheid oor doeltreffende regering, faksietwiste en selfverryking wat kiesers laat wegstaan van die ANC. Nie die media nie. Lees verder: Beeld ...
13 April, 2011
Verkwisters moet só vasgevat word
Die tyd is oorryp dat die mors van staatsgeld [én munisipale geld - DAtanet] daadwerklik aan bande gelê word.
Mnr. Sicelo Shiceka, minister van koöperatiewe regering, se beweerde rinkinkery met belastingbetalersgeld het dié feit opnuut in die kollig gebring [By ons steek die Braziliaanse rit van onlangs deur raadslede en munisipale amptenare talle belastingbetalers nog steeds dwars in die krop - DAtanet] .
Die Zuma-regering dink telkens hy kan geldmorsery skouerophalend met ’n beroep op die ministeriële handboek regverdig. Solank dít die denkwyse is, moet jy nie van die regering verwag om danksy diepe morele oortuiging die gordel stywer te trek nie [Dit herinner sterk aan die wyse waarop onse burgemeester telkens 'n knee-jerk-reaksie aan die dag lê sodra korrupsie en wanbesteding van openbare geld op Jeffreysbaai ter sprake kom - DAtanet] .
Aan die een kant staan die regering handewringend oor gebrekkige dienslewering en die opheffing van armes, maar aan die ander kant bly dit vir ministers aanvaarbaar om in luukse hotelle te bly en miljoene aan spoggerige motors te bestee. En al is daar enkele stemme van redelikheid, bly ’n breë morele pligsbesef afwesig [Selle ou storie - DAtanet].
Só het mnr. Pravin Gordhan, minister van finansies, al telkemaal – maar sonder welslae – gewaarsku dat dié spandabelrigheid moet stop. Die staande komitee oor openbare rekeninge in die parlement doen ook wat hy kan, maar sonder dat die patroon van verkwisting verander word. Die ouditeur-generaal wys die geldmorsery in talle departemente uit, maar die verskynsel herhaal net weer [Hier ter plaatse ook - DAtanet].
Dit is dus tyd dat die parlement sy oorsig en wetgewende funksies na behore gebruik met die neerlê van strenger wetlike riglyne. Die perke op voorregte vir senior regerinslui moet drasties ingekort word, met streng sanksies vir die oorskryding daarvan [Is daar salf aan te smeer? 18 Mei móét in die Kouga 'n bewindsverandering inlui - DAtanet].
- Die Burger
Mnr. Sicelo Shiceka, minister van koöperatiewe regering, se beweerde rinkinkery met belastingbetalersgeld het dié feit opnuut in die kollig gebring [By ons steek die Braziliaanse rit van onlangs deur raadslede en munisipale amptenare talle belastingbetalers nog steeds dwars in die krop - DAtanet] .
Die Zuma-regering dink telkens hy kan geldmorsery skouerophalend met ’n beroep op die ministeriële handboek regverdig. Solank dít die denkwyse is, moet jy nie van die regering verwag om danksy diepe morele oortuiging die gordel stywer te trek nie [Dit herinner sterk aan die wyse waarop onse burgemeester telkens 'n knee-jerk-reaksie aan die dag lê sodra korrupsie en wanbesteding van openbare geld op Jeffreysbaai ter sprake kom - DAtanet] .
Aan die een kant staan die regering handewringend oor gebrekkige dienslewering en die opheffing van armes, maar aan die ander kant bly dit vir ministers aanvaarbaar om in luukse hotelle te bly en miljoene aan spoggerige motors te bestee. En al is daar enkele stemme van redelikheid, bly ’n breë morele pligsbesef afwesig [Selle ou storie - DAtanet].
Só het mnr. Pravin Gordhan, minister van finansies, al telkemaal – maar sonder welslae – gewaarsku dat dié spandabelrigheid moet stop. Die staande komitee oor openbare rekeninge in die parlement doen ook wat hy kan, maar sonder dat die patroon van verkwisting verander word. Die ouditeur-generaal wys die geldmorsery in talle departemente uit, maar die verskynsel herhaal net weer [Hier ter plaatse ook - DAtanet].
Dit is dus tyd dat die parlement sy oorsig en wetgewende funksies na behore gebruik met die neerlê van strenger wetlike riglyne. Die perke op voorregte vir senior regerinslui moet drasties ingekort word, met streng sanksies vir die oorskryding daarvan [Is daar salf aan te smeer? 18 Mei móét in die Kouga 'n bewindsverandering inlui - DAtanet].
- Die Burger
12 April, 2011
From the DA archives #2
“In Cape Town and other DA-run municipalities, the DA has proved that it delivers. Help bring corruption-free delivery to your municipality this year by voting in your ward, and by voting DA. With your support, we can win in municipalities all over South Africa!”
Zuma: Stem ANC ‘en geseënd sal jy wees’
2011-04-09 08:42
Helga van Staaden
Port Elizabeth - Pres. Jacob Zuma het Vrydag stofwolke in Port Elizabeth losgedans om apatiese kiesers te oortuig dat sy “geseënde” party die beste keuse is in die munisipale verkiesing.
Zuma se blitsbesoek aan die Baai volg kort op uitsprake van Zwelenzima Vavi, president van Cosatu, dat die ANC ’n nederlaag in die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro kan ly.
Kiesersapatie blyk ’n groot bron van kommer vir die ANC te wees. Lees verder: nuus24 ...
Helga van Staaden
Port Elizabeth - Pres. Jacob Zuma het Vrydag stofwolke in Port Elizabeth losgedans om apatiese kiesers te oortuig dat sy “geseënde” party die beste keuse is in die munisipale verkiesing.
Zuma se blitsbesoek aan die Baai volg kort op uitsprake van Zwelenzima Vavi, president van Cosatu, dat die ANC ’n nederlaag in die Nelson Mandelabaai-metro kan ly.
Kiesersapatie blyk ’n groot bron van kommer vir die ANC te wees. Lees verder: nuus24 ...
11 April, 2011
Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister spends our tax money on hotels, flights, jailed lover
2011-04-09 22:58
Johannesburg - Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka spent hundreds of thousands of rands of taxpayers’ money on luxury hotels, first class air tickets and on visiting a jailed girlfriend in Switzerland since taking up his Cabinet post in 2008, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.
"Minister Shiceka has abused taxpayers’ money to lead a lifestyle befitting a multimillionaire," reported the newspaper, which claimed to be in possession of "official documents" that showed Shiceka had started his spending spree immediately after being appointed to the Cabinet in September 2008.
The accusations include Shiceka, who has been on sick leave since the beginning of March, and his personal assistant flying first-class to visit his girlfriend in prison in Switzerland at a cost of R335 000. Read more: news24 ...
Johannesburg - Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka spent hundreds of thousands of rands of taxpayers’ money on luxury hotels, first class air tickets and on visiting a jailed girlfriend in Switzerland since taking up his Cabinet post in 2008, the Sunday Times newspaper reported.
"Minister Shiceka has abused taxpayers’ money to lead a lifestyle befitting a multimillionaire," reported the newspaper, which claimed to be in possession of "official documents" that showed Shiceka had started his spending spree immediately after being appointed to the Cabinet in September 2008.
The accusations include Shiceka, who has been on sick leave since the beginning of March, and his personal assistant flying first-class to visit his girlfriend in prison in Switzerland at a cost of R335 000. Read more: news24 ...
10 April, 2011
Wyk 3 wil 'n tent of woonwa leen
Henda Thiart, die Demokratiese Alliansie se kandidaat vir Wyk 3, wil dringend ‘n tent of ‘n woonwa leen. Die tent of woonwa sal op stemdag (18 Mei) as ‘n DA-fokusarea by die Tecoma-stempunt gebruik word. Skakel haar asb. by 042-296-1976 as u kan help.
Henda herinner kiesers daaraan dat hulle hul stem op 18 Mei 2011 tussen 7.00 vm. en 7 nm. kan uitbring.
Henda herinner kiesers daaraan dat hulle hul stem op 18 Mei 2011 tussen 7.00 vm. en 7 nm. kan uitbring.
Uit die DA-argief #1
“Terwyl ons na nog ’n verkiesingsjaar in 2011 uitsien, is dit die moeite werd om te besin oor die uitdagings vorentoe.
Daar is ’n maklike en ’n moeilike manier.
Die maklike manier is om rondom ras te mobiliseer, en begunstiging te misbruik om mag te verskans. Die moeilike manier is om Suid-Afrikaners te oortuig dat die politiek nie ’n stryd tussen rassegroepe is nie, maar ’n keuse tussen beleid wat verskillende paaie na die toekoms bied. Dit is wat die DA probeer doen.”
Daar is ’n maklike en ’n moeilike manier.
Die maklike manier is om rondom ras te mobiliseer, en begunstiging te misbruik om mag te verskans. Die moeilike manier is om Suid-Afrikaners te oortuig dat die politiek nie ’n stryd tussen rassegroepe is nie, maar ’n keuse tussen beleid wat verskillende paaie na die toekoms bied. Dit is wat die DA probeer doen.”
08 April, 2011
Op pad na die stembus
2011-04-07 22:02
Tim du Plessis
Anchen Dreyer is my gunsteling-Prog, ’skuus, DA. Dié DA-LP, immer gereed met ’n hartlike glimlag en ’n blink gedagte, was al in die 1980’s ’n Prog, láánk voordat dit mode was vir establishment-Afrikaners om in die Progressiewe Party te wees. Haar familie is stoere Afrikaners en Hervormers. Sy’t gravitas.
Hoe benader Beeld die komende verkiesing? vra Anchen nou die dag toe ons mekaar op die lughawe raakloop.
Dis ’n gelade vraag, een met ’n geskiedenis. Sy onthou natuurlik die dae toe die dekking van ’n verkiesing vir Beeld ’n “missie” was – nie net nog ’n nuusopdrag nie.
Gelukkig is daardie dae verby. Koerante wat nog dink hulle kan kiesers in die stemhokkie beïnvloed, het iewers in die 1980’s vasgehaak. So, die antwoord is maklik. Die nuus sal Beeld se dekking van die verkiesing lei en bepaal.
As die verkiesing groot nuus oplewer, sal ons dit groot dek. Ons gaan nie vervelige politieke stories in die nuuskantoor “mikrogolf” net omdat daar ’n verkiesing is nie.
Ons radar is ingestel op politici en partye wat simpel goed sê en doen. Of treffende goed, soos Zwelinzima Vavi dié week gedoen het.
Maar terug na die vraag. Hoe sien Beeld die verkiesing? Dis mos eintlik maar kodetaal vir: “Hoe sien jy my party?”
Antwoord: Die DA behoort goed te vaar in die verkiesing. Helen Zille se energie is merkwaardig. Tot dusver dikteer sy, en nie die ANC nie, grootliks die agenda. Lees verder: Beeld ...
Tim du Plessis
Anchen Dreyer is my gunsteling-Prog, ’skuus, DA. Dié DA-LP, immer gereed met ’n hartlike glimlag en ’n blink gedagte, was al in die 1980’s ’n Prog, láánk voordat dit mode was vir establishment-Afrikaners om in die Progressiewe Party te wees. Haar familie is stoere Afrikaners en Hervormers. Sy’t gravitas.
Hoe benader Beeld die komende verkiesing? vra Anchen nou die dag toe ons mekaar op die lughawe raakloop.
Dis ’n gelade vraag, een met ’n geskiedenis. Sy onthou natuurlik die dae toe die dekking van ’n verkiesing vir Beeld ’n “missie” was – nie net nog ’n nuusopdrag nie.
Gelukkig is daardie dae verby. Koerante wat nog dink hulle kan kiesers in die stemhokkie beïnvloed, het iewers in die 1980’s vasgehaak. So, die antwoord is maklik. Die nuus sal Beeld se dekking van die verkiesing lei en bepaal.
As die verkiesing groot nuus oplewer, sal ons dit groot dek. Ons gaan nie vervelige politieke stories in die nuuskantoor “mikrogolf” net omdat daar ’n verkiesing is nie.
Ons radar is ingestel op politici en partye wat simpel goed sê en doen. Of treffende goed, soos Zwelinzima Vavi dié week gedoen het.
Maar terug na die vraag. Hoe sien Beeld die verkiesing? Dis mos eintlik maar kodetaal vir: “Hoe sien jy my party?”
Antwoord: Die DA behoort goed te vaar in die verkiesing. Helen Zille se energie is merkwaardig. Tot dusver dikteer sy, en nie die ANC nie, grootliks die agenda. Lees verder: Beeld ...
'Zuma, please save us!’
08 April 2011
Sino Majangaza and Mayibongwe Maqhina
A disgruntled group within the ANC’s biggest region in the country is demanding President Jacob Zuma’s urgent intervention in ongoing struggles for municipal jobs that have divided the party into splinter groups.
OR Tambo region, which was instrumental in Zuma’s presidential victory in Polokwane, has split into two factions, supporting separate candidate lists for the May 18 elections.
A group opposed to the list already handed to the Independent Electoral Commission has indirectly criticised Zuma’s silence, demanding it was time he spoke out. Read more: Dispatchonline
Sino Majangaza and Mayibongwe Maqhina
A disgruntled group within the ANC’s biggest region in the country is demanding President Jacob Zuma’s urgent intervention in ongoing struggles for municipal jobs that have divided the party into splinter groups.
OR Tambo region, which was instrumental in Zuma’s presidential victory in Polokwane, has split into two factions, supporting separate candidate lists for the May 18 elections.
A group opposed to the list already handed to the Independent Electoral Commission has indirectly criticised Zuma’s silence, demanding it was time he spoke out. Read more: Dispatchonline
Provincial Infrastructure Spending: Western Cape only province to receive 100% infrastructure grant from Treasury
7 April 2011
Statement by
James Selfe MP, Chairperson of the DA Federal Executive
It is deeply significant that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has allocated the Western Cape its full Provincial Infrastructure Grant allotment for 2010/2011 under the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), while terminating allocations to all eight other ANC-run provinces. The decision was gazetted earlier this week. The move constitutes yet further evidence that, where the DA governs, it delivers for all and to a better standard than the ANC. In particular, it shows that the DA delivers to the poor, because the infrastructure grants in question are dedicated for education, health, roads and agriculture. Read more ...
Statement by
James Selfe MP, Chairperson of the DA Federal Executive
It is deeply significant that Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has allocated the Western Cape its full Provincial Infrastructure Grant allotment for 2010/2011 under the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), while terminating allocations to all eight other ANC-run provinces. The decision was gazetted earlier this week. The move constitutes yet further evidence that, where the DA governs, it delivers for all and to a better standard than the ANC. In particular, it shows that the DA delivers to the poor, because the infrastructure grants in question are dedicated for education, health, roads and agriculture. Read more ...
Community protests
In a recent study, the Community Law Centre at the University of the Western Cape investigated the phenomenon of protests, often accompanied by violence, remaining the order of the day in politics at the local level in South Africa.
“These protests,” they concluded, “are a medium through which local residents demonstrate their frustration. They ‘invent’ spaces in which they can voice their discontent, despite the fact that they are ‘invited’ to spaces where they can make their views heard. One such ‘invited’ space is the voting booth: next year [2011], voters have an opportunity to hold their municipal councillors to account.”
The Community Law Centre continues: “The question is whether and how voters will use this opportunity to exercise their democratic rights. Our research shows that protests are increasing in frequency and violence. At the same time, it is unlikely that there will be drastic changes to local government politics throughout the country.”
Moreover, “if councillors are held accountable only by protests and not through elections, this suggests that something is wrong with the functioning of our local democracy.” Read more ...
“These protests,” they concluded, “are a medium through which local residents demonstrate their frustration. They ‘invent’ spaces in which they can voice their discontent, despite the fact that they are ‘invited’ to spaces where they can make their views heard. One such ‘invited’ space is the voting booth: next year [2011], voters have an opportunity to hold their municipal councillors to account.”
The Community Law Centre continues: “The question is whether and how voters will use this opportunity to exercise their democratic rights. Our research shows that protests are increasing in frequency and violence. At the same time, it is unlikely that there will be drastic changes to local government politics throughout the country.”
Moreover, “if councillors are held accountable only by protests and not through elections, this suggests that something is wrong with the functioning of our local democracy.” Read more ...
(By their own account the Community Law Centre at the University of the Western Cape
07 April, 2011
Some good news
New road maintenance programme unveiled
Tuesday, 05 April 2011
The Department of Transport unveiled its S'hamba Sonke (moving together) programme on 1st April, which aims to improve public roads across the country. Up to 400,000 people will be employed between 2011 and 2014 to fix potholes and generally upgrade and maintain roads infrastructure. Read more: SA Good News ...
Tuesday, 05 April 2011
The Department of Transport unveiled its S'hamba Sonke (moving together) programme on 1st April, which aims to improve public roads across the country. Up to 400,000 people will be employed between 2011 and 2014 to fix potholes and generally upgrade and maintain roads infrastructure. Read more: SA Good News ...
Mandela sal siek bly as kiesers nie vir ANC stem, sê Malema
2011-04-07 01:30
VERA SCHOEMAN
Port Elizabeth - Oudpres. Nelson Mandela se siekte, Walter Sisulu se verjaardag, Solomon Mahlangu se dag van herinnering, Chris Hani se dood en die gramskap van die voorvaders is alles gister ingespan om stemme vir die ANC te werf.
Die president van die ANC-jeugliga, mnr. Julius Malema, het op ’n politieke saamtrek in New Brighton in die Baai links en regs raad uitgedeel oor wat kiesers alles op 18Mei in ag moet neem voordat hulle hul kruisies trek. Lees verder: Die Burger ...
VERA SCHOEMAN
Port Elizabeth - Oudpres. Nelson Mandela se siekte, Walter Sisulu se verjaardag, Solomon Mahlangu se dag van herinnering, Chris Hani se dood en die gramskap van die voorvaders is alles gister ingespan om stemme vir die ANC te werf.
Die president van die ANC-jeugliga, mnr. Julius Malema, het op ’n politieke saamtrek in New Brighton in die Baai links en regs raad uitgedeel oor wat kiesers alles op 18Mei in ag moet neem voordat hulle hul kruisies trek. Lees verder: Die Burger ...
Paid while in jail
A convicted employee of the Kouga Municipality has been in jail since December 12 last year while ratepayers are forking out about R30 000 every month for his salary. Yet, it appears the municipality has taken no disciplinary action notwithstanding three previous convictions and another seven charges of reckless and driving under the influence of alcohol since 2004.
On March 3 this year, Mzwandile Templeton Gwadana (35) pleaded guilty in the Humansdorp Court for driving under the influence on December 12 last year. The alcohol level in his blood was more than 8 times over the legal limit. He was immediately arrested after sentencing when it was found that he was previously charged with drunk driving on no less than four other occasions since January 2009. He was denied bail and will remain in custody until May 25.
The Municipality was not prepared to comment. According to their Communications Officer, Mfundo Sobele, they are unable to divulge internal staff matters. Pressed to give a reason, he said “The municipality is in a process of re-looking its draft media policy regarding staff matters. At the moment, the draft does not clarify which areas should be strictly kept internal and those that should be for public consumption. The process should be finalised soon.”
This is a condensed version of the original report by
Piet Liebenberg
OUR TIMES – Kouga’s newspaper
8 April 2011
On March 3 this year, Mzwandile Templeton Gwadana (35) pleaded guilty in the Humansdorp Court for driving under the influence on December 12 last year. The alcohol level in his blood was more than 8 times over the legal limit. He was immediately arrested after sentencing when it was found that he was previously charged with drunk driving on no less than four other occasions since January 2009. He was denied bail and will remain in custody until May 25.
The Municipality was not prepared to comment. According to their Communications Officer, Mfundo Sobele, they are unable to divulge internal staff matters. Pressed to give a reason, he said “The municipality is in a process of re-looking its draft media policy regarding staff matters. At the moment, the draft does not clarify which areas should be strictly kept internal and those that should be for public consumption. The process should be finalised soon.”
This is a condensed version of the original report by
Piet Liebenberg
OUR TIMES – Kouga’s newspaper
8 April 2011
06 April, 2011
The DA's voice of reason
“In this election, the DA is offering something that no other party can offer. We are offering government that works. And we are offering councillors that work. For all the people.”
Unpaid bills, councillors for election
06 Apr 2011
Ward councillors who have run up large bills for unpaid municipal services will not be removed from the ANC’s candidates’ list for the forthcoming municipal elections according to Gauteng ANC spokesman Dumisa Ntuli.
While not condemning the non-payment Ntuli admitted that it was “irresponsible” of councillors not to pay their rates and services accounts sent to them by different municipalities.
She was reacting to accusations from the Democratic Alliance that the organisation was “turning a blind eye” to the scores of councillors who have not paid their outstanding accounts and consistently refuse to do so. Read more: property24
Ward councillors who have run up large bills for unpaid municipal services will not be removed from the ANC’s candidates’ list for the forthcoming municipal elections according to Gauteng ANC spokesman Dumisa Ntuli.
While not condemning the non-payment Ntuli admitted that it was “irresponsible” of councillors not to pay their rates and services accounts sent to them by different municipalities.
She was reacting to accusations from the Democratic Alliance that the organisation was “turning a blind eye” to the scores of councillors who have not paid their outstanding accounts and consistently refuse to do so. Read more: property24
Vavi los nuwe bom
2011-04-05 22:14
Jan de Lange
"Ons (die ANC-alliansie) gaan met ons sterte tussen ons bene en ons rug teen die muur na die kiesers toe,” het mnr. Zwelinzima Vavi, hoofsekretaris van Cosatu, gister gesê.
“Hoekom? Omdat ons sedert 2007 1,17 miljoen werkgeleenthede verloor het, nie geskep het nie. En ons het daarmee nóg 5,8 miljoen mense in armoede gedompel.”
Hy het by die nasionale bedingingskongres van die National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) voorspel dat “ons dalk binnekort van iemand sal moet praat as president Zille”.
Die komende munisipale verkiesing is die moeilikste wat die ANC-Cosatu-SAKP-alliansie tot nog toe aangepak het omdat die ANC se Polo-kwane-resolusies op niks uitgeloop het nie, het Vavi gesê.
Hy meen daar is ’n groot gevaar dat massas ANC-kiesers in die Oos-Kaap kan wegbly en dat die DA die Nelson Mandelabaai-metropool ná die verkiesing kan beheer. Lees verder: Beeld ...
Jan de Lange
"Ons (die ANC-alliansie) gaan met ons sterte tussen ons bene en ons rug teen die muur na die kiesers toe,” het mnr. Zwelinzima Vavi, hoofsekretaris van Cosatu, gister gesê.
“Hoekom? Omdat ons sedert 2007 1,17 miljoen werkgeleenthede verloor het, nie geskep het nie. En ons het daarmee nóg 5,8 miljoen mense in armoede gedompel.”
Hy het by die nasionale bedingingskongres van die National Union of Metalworkers (Numsa) voorspel dat “ons dalk binnekort van iemand sal moet praat as president Zille”.
Die komende munisipale verkiesing is die moeilikste wat die ANC-Cosatu-SAKP-alliansie tot nog toe aangepak het omdat die ANC se Polo-kwane-resolusies op niks uitgeloop het nie, het Vavi gesê.
Hy meen daar is ’n groot gevaar dat massas ANC-kiesers in die Oos-Kaap kan wegbly en dat die DA die Nelson Mandelabaai-metropool ná die verkiesing kan beheer. Lees verder: Beeld ...
05 April, 2011
DA welcomes T-shirt ruling
Apr 5, 2011 10:33 AM | By Sapa
The DA on Tuesday welcomed the ruling that it was wrong for Gauteng health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe to have worn an ANC T-shirt at an official visit to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
The ruling came after DA provincial caucus leader Jack Bloom laid the complain with the Gauteng Legislature's Integrity Commissioner Jules Browde following the visit on March 6.
In her report on the issue Browde said: "When an MEC is on his/her official duties he/she is the representative of all the members of the legislature and consequently all the parties they represent. It is, therefore, in my opinion, improper for an MEC in those circumstances to indicate publicly that he/she represents a particular party in carrying out his/her duties." Read more: Times Live
The DA on Tuesday welcomed the ruling that it was wrong for Gauteng health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe to have worn an ANC T-shirt at an official visit to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
The ruling came after DA provincial caucus leader Jack Bloom laid the complain with the Gauteng Legislature's Integrity Commissioner Jules Browde following the visit on March 6.
In her report on the issue Browde said: "When an MEC is on his/her official duties he/she is the representative of all the members of the legislature and consequently all the parties they represent. It is, therefore, in my opinion, improper for an MEC in those circumstances to indicate publicly that he/she represents a particular party in carrying out his/her duties." Read more: Times Live
Wat kry ons in ruil daarvoor?
Wat kry plaaslike belastingbetalers in ruil vir die enorme salarisse en toelaes wat hulle die plaaslike owerheid laat toekom?
Dit is min of meer die strekking van ‘n berig wat onlangs in Our Times verskyn het. Volgens die skrywer verdien ‘n gewone raadslid R15 000 per maand, die speaker en lede van die burgemeesterskomitee steek R38 000 per maand in die sak en die burgemeester kla seker nie oor sy vergoeding van R50 000 per maand nie. Hierbenewens is hulle ook nog geregtig op ‘n selfoontoelaag van tussen R930 en R3 000 per maand.
Ander berigte in dieselfde koerant stem belastingbetalers opnuut onrustig. Verslaggewer Piet Liebenberg skryf dat die Kouga Munisipaliteit traag is om hulle skuldeisers te betaal: “The perilous state of the Kouga Municipality’s (KM) financial situation was again confirmed this week when three of their major suppliers confirmed they have been struggling since November last year to get paid for services rendered.” Hierbenewens dreig Eskom glo “to cut power to the Kouga if KM does not pay them the R20m owed.” Dit klink mos na erge finansiële wanbestuur, of hoe? En die KM sprak g’n sprook nie, want die munisipale segsman, Mfunde Sobele “did not respond to queries.”
Maar nog is het einde niet. In sy berig “Kouga mum on AG report”, skryf die einste Piet Liebenberg dat “concerned ratepayers are up in arms because the Kouga Municipality (KM) seems to be deliberately withholding the latest audit report for the 2009/2010 financial year compiled by the Auditor-General (AG).” Waarom maak die munisipaliteit die verslag nie bekend nie? Omdat hulle iets het om weg te steek? Omdat hulle bloot onbevoeg is?
Elders in die koerant skryf Cobus van Niekerk dat “vrae oor huise kwel.” Volgens hom word huise wat aan mense in die townships belowe is, eenvoudig nie voorsien nie. Die burgemeester gooi klaarblyklik jakkalsdraaie oor wat die redes hiervoor is, maar weens ‘n gebrek aan deursigtigheid weet niemand werklik wat die ware toedrag van sake is nie.
So kan ‘n mens voortgaan. Maar wat kan die inwoners van ons geweste hieraan doen? Eenvoudig: die Kouga benodig ‘n bewindsverandering. Al wat die Kouga kan red is dat die Demokratiese Alliansie die munisipale verkiesing op 18 Mei moet wen.
Volgens Piet Liebenberg is die DA se kandidaat vir die burgemeesterspos, dr. Chimpie Cawood, vol vertroue dat sy party “die pyp in die Mei-verkiesing sal rook en die ANC uit die kussings sal lig.” Cawood stel dit só: “Die DA-span wil … die Kouga uit sy huidige staat van verval en administratiewe en finansiële moeras waarin dit verval het, optel …”
Die Demokratiese Alliansie verdien ‘n billike kans om Cawood se beloftes ten uitvoer te bring.
Dalk kry ons só weer waarde vir ons geld.
Dit is min of meer die strekking van ‘n berig wat onlangs in Our Times verskyn het. Volgens die skrywer verdien ‘n gewone raadslid R15 000 per maand, die speaker en lede van die burgemeesterskomitee steek R38 000 per maand in die sak en die burgemeester kla seker nie oor sy vergoeding van R50 000 per maand nie. Hierbenewens is hulle ook nog geregtig op ‘n selfoontoelaag van tussen R930 en R3 000 per maand.
Ander berigte in dieselfde koerant stem belastingbetalers opnuut onrustig. Verslaggewer Piet Liebenberg skryf dat die Kouga Munisipaliteit traag is om hulle skuldeisers te betaal: “The perilous state of the Kouga Municipality’s (KM) financial situation was again confirmed this week when three of their major suppliers confirmed they have been struggling since November last year to get paid for services rendered.” Hierbenewens dreig Eskom glo “to cut power to the Kouga if KM does not pay them the R20m owed.” Dit klink mos na erge finansiële wanbestuur, of hoe? En die KM sprak g’n sprook nie, want die munisipale segsman, Mfunde Sobele “did not respond to queries.”
Maar nog is het einde niet. In sy berig “Kouga mum on AG report”, skryf die einste Piet Liebenberg dat “concerned ratepayers are up in arms because the Kouga Municipality (KM) seems to be deliberately withholding the latest audit report for the 2009/2010 financial year compiled by the Auditor-General (AG).” Waarom maak die munisipaliteit die verslag nie bekend nie? Omdat hulle iets het om weg te steek? Omdat hulle bloot onbevoeg is?
Elders in die koerant skryf Cobus van Niekerk dat “vrae oor huise kwel.” Volgens hom word huise wat aan mense in die townships belowe is, eenvoudig nie voorsien nie. Die burgemeester gooi klaarblyklik jakkalsdraaie oor wat die redes hiervoor is, maar weens ‘n gebrek aan deursigtigheid weet niemand werklik wat die ware toedrag van sake is nie.
So kan ‘n mens voortgaan. Maar wat kan die inwoners van ons geweste hieraan doen? Eenvoudig: die Kouga benodig ‘n bewindsverandering. Al wat die Kouga kan red is dat die Demokratiese Alliansie die munisipale verkiesing op 18 Mei moet wen.
Volgens Piet Liebenberg is die DA se kandidaat vir die burgemeesterspos, dr. Chimpie Cawood, vol vertroue dat sy party “die pyp in die Mei-verkiesing sal rook en die ANC uit die kussings sal lig.” Cawood stel dit só: “Die DA-span wil … die Kouga uit sy huidige staat van verval en administratiewe en finansiële moeras waarin dit verval het, optel …”
Die Demokratiese Alliansie verdien ‘n billike kans om Cawood se beloftes ten uitvoer te bring.
Dalk kry ons só weer waarde vir ons geld.
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