COSATU comments on City Service Delivery Survey

COSATU is surprised that the Mayor still tries to present the City of Cape Town as a well run City in the face of the growing criticism. There may be some service delivery taking place; it may even be better than some other Provinces, but when viewed in comparison to amount of money that this city has available and the delivery in the ex-white areas of Cape Town, it shows the racist dimension of this city delivery focus.

Amongst the issues that are emerging as indications of bad service delivery are:

• The growing authoritarian approach of the Mayor in her efforts to do the DA bidding;
• The preference given to Business interest ahead of community interest;
• The City has been one of the least unequal parts of the country historically, but the levels of inequality have been growing at the fastest levels since the DA took over;
• The service delivery protest over the last few months has shown growing unhappiness over DA policies and neglect of the poor areas;
• The inability of the DA to confront the scourge of gangsterism and violence has left communities devastated;
• The housing delivery has seen patronage and cronyism as being the main criteria for delivery;
• The violence meted out to the people of Hout Bay and the complete con of the supposed agreement.

The Mayor has shown herself unable to lead the people of Cape Town with a plan that inspires hope in the direction the City is taking. Instead we have seen her pander to the Zilletes, who are intent on defending and extending the apartheid generational advantage of the white communities, at the cost of the black communities on the Cape Flats.

This City Service Delivery and Budget Report is a shame in respect of the manner that it responds to service delivery priorities.

Statement issued by COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, August 27 2013

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