Deadlock: ANC delays take-over by the DA coalition
2009-02-12
Sieb Sieberhagen
THE Drakenstein Municipal Council is deadlocked due to the political power struggle between the ANC and the DA coalition. Last Thursday matters came to a head when the DA and its coalition partners put their collective foot down by boycotting the municipal council meeting, leaving the ANC in disarray. The DA, supported by its coalition partners, now has a slight majority of one vote in council, following the by-elections in December. The lack of a quorum for the meeting of the 61 councillors left the ANC unable to finalise outstanding issues on the agenda. The 31 councillors of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus, ACDP, ID and Cope, as well as the WCC, were absent from the meeting. Among the ploys used to delay the take -over by the opposition, are submissions to Council that the two WCC council members (Eleanore Basson and Dawn Jacobs who support the coalition) had been suspended by their party. The submissions were readily accepted by the municipal manager, Dr Sidima Kabanyane, but not supported by the IEC, as the suspension letter had not been sent by the chairman of the WCC, Pastor Norman Steyn, but by Juan Swanepoel who heads a faction of the party. Last week was the second time since the by-elections that a faction of the WCC which supports the ANC, has tried to oust Basson and Jacobs from Council. On Friday, after the WCC councillors were reinstated, the coalition submitted a renewed motion of no confidence supported by 31 signatures, calling for a special council meeting on 17 February, the day to which the council meeting had been postponed on Thursday. Although the balance of power is set to swing against the ANC, they are clearly using delaying tactics to prevent the take-over for as long as possible. Following last week’s abortive meeting, ANC mayor Charmaine Manuel said the DA coalition’s “irresponsible” actions were “a disgrace.” “There are serious community matters on the table. Our community voted us in and they depend on our service delivery. The DA does not want to come to Council to deal with important issues.” Among the delayed items to be considered are the report of the Auditor-General on the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2008, the mid-year budget review and backdated salary increases for councillors. Said the Speaker, Sikhumbuzo Mgajo: “It is deplorable that the DA and its allies had to take this route, hereby frustrating service delivery.” The DA coalition has stuck to its guns, despite the ANC shenanigans, and warned that an application to the High Court will follow if the special meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at 16:00 in the Wellington town hall, is not held.p>
More
News
|
