MUNICIPAL SERVICES ARREARS - SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR COUNCILLORS & MAYOR

MEDIA RELEASE 28 Jan 2008
MUNICIPAL SERVICES ARREARS - SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR COUNCILLORS & MAYOR RAMAKGOPA

During the 24 January Council meeting in the Tshwane Metro, it came to light that several ANC and DA councilors including the Mayor Dr Ramokgopa were owing the CTMM for their municipal services, according to the Auditor General’s report for the book year, ending 30 June 2007.

Some of the amounts outstanding were as high as R57 000 per individual.

How do the Metro Police justify barging in at the office of Cornwall Hill Country Estate with fire arms and tear-gas , to switch off water because of an arrears account that was in dispute at the time?

On Friday 16 November 2007, the Metro Police, accompanied by Dayalyn Pillay of the Tshwane Metro, barged into the offices of Cornwall Hill Country Estate, in an exercise to unconstitutionally disconnect Cornwall Hill Country Estate’s water supply.

At the time, Diep in die Berg, Cornwall Hill and other security comPlexes were in arrears and in a dispute with the Tshwane Metro Council over their municipal services bills.

Despite the fact they were in dispute the Tshwane Metro came in an entourage of Metro Police with sirens and blue lights flashing, to have their services terminated. Why such a DISPLAY of POWER?

The ACDP finds that dual standards are being applied by the Tshwane Metro when it comes to debt collection.

Leaders need to set an example - what is good for the goose is good for the gander!

How can the Tshwane Metro clamp down on the ordinary citizen and not on councilors who are in arrears.

The ACDP challenges the Tshwane Metro to treat all rate payers the same in applying the debt collection policy.

Annie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro