my democracy2009-11-07T09:52:07ZMargaret de AndradeCopyright 2009, Margaret de AndradeSPHPBLOGHeritage Day – Save our City Campaign
The SAVE OUR CITY CAMPAIGN is an initiative by the Mandela Metro Tour guides association, along with many other interest groups, to preserve the heritage our great city has. Historical buildings within Central (the 2nd oldest suburb in South Africa) have however seen some slumlord activity/behavior which has lead to Central’s steady decline. The Save our City Campaign has as it’s objective the reversal of the historical decline of central.
DA Ward 39 branch had a contingent present for this very worthy cause and we participated in the picking up of litter on the slow walk down to the old post building. ]]>http://democracy.hopto.org/index.php?entry=entry090925-1142492009-09-25T00:00:00Z2009-09-25T00:00:00ZMAYORAL OUTREACH HAS BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Sincere apologies for inconvenience caused.
Marthie,
Thanking you
Nipho Qwalela Secretary to Mr. D. Mbebe Constituency Services Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality
Tel. no.: 041 5054454 Fax no.: 041 505 4512
]]>http://democracy.hopto.org/index.php?entry=entry090915-1007072009-09-15T00:00:00Z2009-09-15T00:00:00ZMAYORAL IDP BUDGET OUTREACH There will be a Mayoral IDP/ Budget outreach meeting on the 23 September 2009 at the Newton Park Library from 18:00 - 20:00
Councillor de Andrade’s Service Statistics 21 July to 31 July 2009
The statistics below is a great indicator on the return you as voter get when you vote DA and in particular Margaret De Andrade. A wide range of issues are dealt with on a daily basis by Margaret’s office and for the short period of record keeping the breakdown is as follows:
Visitors to office
Rebates 6 Pension/Disability 9 ATTP 1 Visitors from 1 other wards
Issues
Potholes 2 Street Lights 4 Account Queries 6 Speed monitoring 2 Dog problems 1 Health Issues 1 Verges 2 Waste Management 5 Illegal structure 1 Road Signs 1 Attendance to trees 3 Water Leaks 1
500 Pamphlets were also dropped at the various churches and retirement villages during July to further enhance the relationship between Ward councillor and religious - senior citizen groups in Ward 39.
The above statistics do not include council, CPF or Neighborhood watch meetings.
Media & Newspapers
Our branch had media exposure in the Herald & PE Express this month under the following headings:
•FINE THOSE ORWELLIAN COPS – 14 JULY 09, THE HERALD. Letter dealt with traffic officials parking illegally near Wool Exchange building. Letter sent by Larraine Chambers
•PEOPLE WILL PROTEST WHEN THEY SEE HOW THEIR LEADERS LIVE- 28 JULY 09, THE HERALD. Letter dealt with excessive expenditure on ministerial cars and housing for top officials – wasteful expenditure. Letter sent by Werner Senekal
•STREETDANCERS RACE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE -29 JULY 09, P E EXPRESS. Nelson Mandela’s birthday 67 minute community work was spent helping Animal Welfare clean kennels and donate food. Thanks to Margaret & Ruaan Kriel you did our branch proud.
•LOCAL GOVERNMENT FAILURE THE RESULT OF CADRE POLICY – 31 July 09 THE HERALD. Letter highlights the ANC’s failed redeployment and affirmative action policies. Letter sent by Margaret De Andrade.
We encourage members to actively participate in writing letters to the papers and make their voices heard in the DA opposition project.
Announcements
•Eastern Cape DA Provincial Congress to take place 15 and 16 November in Graaff Reinett.
•Branch AGM’s take place after membership audits have been completed – Our AGM is likely to take place mid August to mid September. All members will be informed of the AGM as soon as a date has been set.
Eastern Cape Legislature News
MEC, STEVENSON AT LOGGERHEADS OVER BHISO’S SPENDING LEVELS- The Herald 28 July 09 – Article dealt with provincial spending and prudent spending of dwindling revenue. It’s clear that the DA in the EC legislature remains the only viable opposition in spite of Cope’s presence as official opposition in the EC. Stevenson is the DA Caucus leader in EC legislature.
National Issues addressed by the DA during July
•Ministerial cars and Blue train perks questioned by party leader Helen Zille. Government announced Thursday, 30 July that a task team will review expenditure on ministerial perks. DA exposed this issue.
•Border control and security receive less than VIP protection services in South Africa
•Bheki Cele SAPS National Commissioner – A political appointee which is an ANC NEC member – DA calls for Mr Cele to resign from ANC NEC ]]>http://democracy.hopto.org/index.php?entry=entry090805-0738232009-08-05T00:00:00Z2009-08-05T00:00:00ZFAST FACTS - 'I DID IT MY WAY' ]]>http://democracy.hopto.org/index.php?entry=entry090715-0820232009-07-15T00:00:00Z2009-07-15T00:00:00ZHow the ANC fleeced R1 million from the public for an election rally DA SPOKESPERSON ON SCOPA
How the ANC fleeced R1 million from the public for an election rally
Release, immediate: Sunday, 5 July 2009
The Democratic Alliance has in its possession a series of documents which suggest that the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal fleeced the South African tax-payer of over R1 million, which was then used for an ANC election rally. I am meeting with the Auditor-General this week to put the matter before him and to ask that a full investigation take place.
The available evidence suggests that this constitutes another example of the ANC's inability to separate party from state, or to distinguish the proper use of public money from the manipulation of revenue for party political purposes. The DA believes the ANC is now obliged to return the money and refund the public.
What happened:
Senior officials of the Msunduzi Municipality (Pietermaritzburg) authorised payment of R 1 065 117 for an event called 'The Nkosi Mlaba Cultural Day' on 19 January 2009, despite the actual event being scheduled to take place on 18 January. As far as the DA can ascertain, there is no evidence the event ever took place. Instead, the only event actually to take place on 18 January was an ANC election rally at the Qokololo Stadium, attended by some 50 000 supporters (see the Natal Witness, 19 January, Page 2).
In other words, it appears the ANC used government funds to finance a party event.
The documents:
The DA has in its possession, the following documents, all of which are available on request:
*The approved quotation (in other words, the authorised payment) for the event. The payment form shows quotes obtained by Hazel Xolo (PA in the Speaker's Office, Msunduzi), as well as N Hlela (Manager, Speaker's Office) and Rob Haswell (The Msunduzi Municipal Manager). All forms are counter-signed by the Deputy Municipal Manager for Finance R. Brigemohan.
Significantly, the Head of Procurement, F. Grantham, has not signed the form. *According to the DA's sources, neither the Mayor nor the Premier were involved.
*The amounts approved were: R497 860 and R569 259 for a total of R1 067 119. * Council officials confirm that no council resolution for the Nkosi Mlaba Cultural Day has ever been passed. * Importantly, the quotes were obtained on 19 January 2009, one day after the event had supposedly happened. * No proper procurement process was followed. * The Oval where the event was supposed to take place was booked by the Midland Cricket Association on 18 January (booking sheet available on request).
What the documents mean:
There is every indication that the ANC has used government money for party political purposes. There is no vote number on any of the documents, no signature from the Head of Procurement and no Council Resolution authorising payment. Certainly there is no evidence of any actual event taking place, to the extent that the same venue was booked for a cricket match. The fact that the quotation was approved retrospectively (i.e. on 19 January) suggests the entire matter was a scam to use public money for the ANC's private business.
What should happen:
President Jacob Zuma has made several statements expressly committing his administration to fighting corruption and to upholding the principle of accountability. He also dedicated his weekly newsletter this week, ANC Today, to setting out his party's commitment to separating party and state. This incident represents an opportunity for him to illustrate that commitment. Thus, the DA believes:
* The matter should be urgently investigated; * Those found guilty should be dismissed from office; and * The ANC should return the money to the municipality.
What the DA will do:
*The DA is meeting with the Auditor-General this week to put the matter before him and to ask that a full investigation into the incident take place.
*I have already distributed copies of the documentation in my possession to the Auditor-General and the MEC for Local Government in KZN, because of deficiencies in compliance with supply chain management regulations.
*I will submit questions to the Minister of Local and Provincial Government interrogating the matter and the government's action in response.
*I will raise the matter before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, as well as in the National Assembly.
.JPG)
