SOME NORTH WEST MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS AN AFFRONT

The appointments of some mayors in the North West are a real let down to the municipalities and local governance.

Appointing a mayor to the district municipality after she failed to prove her worth in a small local municipality is a sign that the African National Congress does not care a bit about service delivery.

During her tenure a mayor people in the Tswaing municipality had it difficult with accessing potable water. That the rate payers association withheld their rates is proof that there was no leadership in the municipality.

Manketso Tlhape's rocketing to the district number one seat simply indicates that in the ANC if you are a compliant cadre regardless of your abilities the sky is the limit.

While we do not want to meddle in the affairs of other parties, we cannot keep quiet when we notice that cronyism is taking sway.

For the record, we agree with Solly Phetoe, the COSATU provincial secretary in the province that the ANC is intent on rewarding failure; otherwise how does someone under whose stewardship the area lost two seats to the opposition get propelled to the highest seat? In other democracies she would be caused if not forced to resign even as councilor.

It also boggles the mind that assignments are made with a provision that if incumbents fail they will be recalled. We hold the view that the trial and error era is over; by now Trojans in parties should be indisputable.

We have noted with interest that institutional memory has no place in the ANC as far as placements are concerned.

While COSATU is singing lyrics about Bhine, whom they had identified to head the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, his constituency at Ramotshere Moiloa holds a different view even for being mayor for the local municipality.

That COSATU will support protests against the unwelcome mayors will further exacerbate failure in service delivery. We in the United Christian Democratic Party hold the view that brains and not brawn will lead to amicable resolution of problems.

The dismissive view held by COSATU on the programme of partnership between the ANC and DA/UCDP is inconsequential. The UCDP has yet to receive an invitation to a meeting on the matter.

It is this intolerance and the holier than thou attitude held by some in our midst that delays progress. Each political party will speak for themselves when the opportunity for that comes. 

Statement issued by Sipho Mfundisi, UCDP, June 2 2011

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