PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FARCE
Public participation is a critical part of democracy. It shouldn't just happen at election time, but should be a part of all government action.
The principle is that those affected have a right to be consulted and participate in the decision-making process.
If done properly it should improve the outcome and ensure public acceptance.
According to our Constitution "Everyone has the right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair."
If this had been done with the Gauteng e-tolls Government would not face court action and a tide of public opposition.
It's nice to keep the public informed about government activities as well. But this often degenerates into farcical and expensive exercises that achieve virtually nothing.
The Gauteng Legislature recently did a project called "Taking the Gauteng 2012 Annual Report Process to the People". Hundreds of people from all over the province were bused to the Mogale City town hall.
Half the morning was gone before some sort of presentation of the various departments' annual reports could be given. Questions and comment from the floor had to be curtailed in the interests of time. I doubt that anyone there got much out of the whole exercise.
It cost a huge amount of money - R500 000 for the sound system alone. Other big costs included catering and transport. There was no good reason to have it in Mogale City as the Legislature in Johannesburg is more central. People from Bronkhorstspruit travelled for about two hours to get there.
How people were selected is a bit of a mystery. It was supposed to be done through party constituency offices but it seems only ANC offices were asked to provide participants.
It really amounted to not much more than an outing and feeding scheme for ANC-selected people. The national parliament has also had "Taking Parliament to the People" fiascos.
In September last year a joint sitting of parliament was convened in Mangaung in the Free State. It cost R14 million, but was badly organised and poorly attended. Only two deputy ministers pitched up to address the concerns of local communities.
Last week the National Council of Provinces travelled to De Aar in the Northern Cape. Four ministers cancelled on one day, showing their disdain for the whole project which cost about R8 million.
There are better ways to do public participation, starting with full disclosure of relevant information. It's incredible, for instance, that the Gauteng e-toll contract has still not been made public. And replies to official questions in parliament and in the provincial legislatures are often deliberately vague.
When the public are called to make comment, it should be a serious and meaningful exercise, not just a formality. Issues raised must be replied to, not simply noted as happens often.
Government finds it easy to waste money on show-piece gatherings that are really ruling party propaganda exercises.
They do this because they don't really respect the people. They think they know best, and it just needs to be communicated downwards.
The one thing that would shatter their arrogance is rejection at the polls.
This is the most effective public participation of all.
Jack Bloom MPL is DA Leader in the Gauteng Legislature. This article first appeared in The Citizen.
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