Dear Editor
In 2021, voters in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality voted for change and to oust the failing ANC-led government.
At a council meeting yesterday, the Compatriots of South Africa (CSA) again betrayed the wishes of their voters and sided with the ANC during an important council election.
When the election of a Speaker once again ended in a deadlock, with the CSA voting with the ANC, the position was decided by a coin toss (as per legislation). The coin fell in favour of Cllr Cheslin Felix, President of the CSA. Felix is a resident of the city of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
While the outcome of the Speaker’s election is extremely disappointing, what is worse is the fact that council was, for a second time, unable to establish any of the new Committees proposed by the DA. These being the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, Local Economic Development Committee, and the Corruption Committee. With the CSA’s Felix chairing the meeting, the proceedings descended into chaos and consensus could not be reached.
It will be extremely disappointing if this is the kind of council leadership that we will be subjected to by the ANC-CSA partnership.
The DA’s Ewald Loock remains the mayor of the municipality and will continue to work to bring accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery to the people of the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality.
Regards
Samantha Graham-Maré, MP
Dr Beyers Naude Constituency Leader