Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Dirk Kotze.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, is disappointed that the Speaker of the Council, Stefani Lockman-Naidoo, was unprepared for the ordinary council meeting held on Monday, 27 February.
The integrity of the council was not protected as members received incomplete and unsigned documentation, motions were not tabled, and rule 38 questions raised by Councillors were not answered by the Acting City Manager (ACM), Tebogo Mothlasuping. This led to several items being withdrawn from the agenda or not attended to.
The following motions were not on the agenda of the meeting:
- A motion of no confidence against the mayor submitted on 17 September 2022.
- The second motion for the Establishment of an Ombudsman submitted on 11 November 2022
- Motion for the establishment of a steering committee for the water crisis in Mangaung submitted on 29 November 2022
- Motion to establish a framework/criteria for the eligibility to serve as a board member of Centlec on 16 November 2022.
- Motion to develop a performance policy for the Mangaung Metro 24 May 2022
In accordance with rule 29.2 which reads “Any notice of motion shall be submitted to the Speaker or chairperson before 12:00, ten days prior to the meeting of the council or committee.”
The importance of the motions cannot be understated. There is no longer confidence in the mayor, the Ombudsman was not established within 90 days as resolved by the council on 12 May 2022, no management of major water interruptions, Centlec has no serving board and no performance policy to hold officials accountable for services not delivered.
The DA objected and demanded a special council meeting for the motions to be attended to on an urgent matter. The Speaker erroneously referred to the rules and stated that she has the right to disallow a motion if leads to discussions of a matter already dealt with on the agenda, addresses a matter where the council has no jurisdiction, addresses a matter where a decision of a judicial or quasi-judicial body is pending, has not been seconded and if passed, would be contrary to the law.
None of the motions served before the Section 79 committee responsible for motions and petitions and the DA questions why the speaker did not disallow the motions in writing before the commencement of the ordinary council.
The DA is now forced to write to, Leona Kleynhans, a member of the Provincial Legislature responsible for Local Government to raise the issue with the MEC and the newly elected Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana.
The Stefani Lockman-Naidoo once again proved that the interests of the ANC will be protected in council rather than attending to urgent matters to better service delivery to the residents of Mangaung. The DA urge residents to register for the National Elections in 2024 to bring real change to the Mangaung Metro to ensure good governance.