Number 32
Because of the extraordinary times we are living in, and the need for tax and ratepayers to become better mobilized, this letter will, as far as I am able, go out weekly instead of monthly. A very kind volunteer has offered to assist with the website, so we can foresee some useful information going onto the website.
- The tactic of declaring disputes with your municipality and paying rates into a trust account is a controversial issue, but at the moment it appears to be the only means for ratepayers to express their dismay at the collapse of service delivery in the absence of any other mechanism. A very good example of a dispute document is on the website under ‘Documents’. Where-ever this dispute mechanism has been applied, it has yielded results.
- The ordinary person is not helpless when it comes to combating corruption – the laws exist, but they depend on citizen activism for effect. If you are aware of corruption within your municipality, there is the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, 2003. Find it at this website: www.gov.za/documents/acts . Go to the year 2004 and find Act 14.
- Philipstown is the latest town to declare a dispute with its municipality over service collapse. Their main reason for the dispute, apart from the collapse of services, is that their municipal accounts are faulty and the clerk at the municipality has been instructed not to deal with complaints.
- Heilbron is going from strength to strength after the community took over service delivery after declaring a dispute and providing services themselves. Anyone who would like to find out how to go about improving their own town in a similar way, contact Elize Laubscher of the Heilbron Ratepayers Association for guidance. She can put you on her mailing list for her regular bulletin. Her contact details are on the website under ‘Contacts’
- The NTU has established a ‘Roads Committee’ to combat deterioration of their roads. They offer practical advice about fixing potholes and maintaining road surfaces. The committee head, Pieter van der Westhuizen, would like to hear from you if you have any problem roads. He can be contacted on pdv.west@vodamail.com
- The insurance giant Old Mutual has, unusually, criticized government interference for the poor performance of municipalities. Old Mutual funds an organization called the Ilima Trust, which uses the experience and expertise of retired business and government experts to assist struggling municipalities. However, the Ilima Trust has confirmed that political interference and astounding lack of skills is preventing any progress from taking place. Old Mutual marketing director Crispin Sonn told the Parliamentary hearings on service delivery that very few municipal employees are able to do their jobs, and the few that are competent at hamstrung by politicians, who use municipal funds for their own purposes instead of service delivery.
- Nine municipalities have been unable to pay their Eskom bills, to the extent that the districts are in danger of having their town’s supply cut off. However, Eskom is not releasing the names of towns in arrears. It is up to the residents to make sure that their municipality’s bills are up to date. The question must be asked, though – the municipalities have been paid for this electricity by the residents, so where has the money gone?
- Nick McConnell of Howick has been writing letters to his municipality, asking why the municipality is overcharging for electricity. The Umngeni municipality increased its rates and then backdated the charges. This is illegal. He has had no reply and no action has been taken. Nick wants to know if anyone else has similar problems. You can contact him on 0)33 330 5341/3 or hubers@mweb.co.za
- In Warrenton, school kids and local residents got stuck in and repaired roads in their town. The residents of Kroonstad also tackled their potholes, with great success. This was after they approached the municipality for urgent repairs to certain roads in the town – the municipality replied that they did not have the money to repair the roads. This was after R38 million ‘disappeared’ out of municipal coffers. The residents repaired the roads, and then submitted invoices to the municipality for the work done. We have no word yet if the invoices were paid.
- In Sannieshof, the municipal manager was suspended in February. However, this is not a victory for the ratepayers as it is clear that the suspension was as a result of ANC infighting and not as a result of trying to clean up the administration of the town. The ratepayers association therefore, have called for a full audit into tender irregularities, corruption and nepotism involving the councilors and officials who are left in place. Another interesting piece of news from Sannieshof: according to the records of the disputing RAs, is that the amount of money that is being withheld is 1,1% of the municipal debt. But with this 1,1%, the residents of Sannieshof, Delareyville and Ottosdal are running the whole district – with money to spare. If ever there was an indictment of the municipal waste and excess, it should be this.
- In Kouga, a council employee is suspected of corruption when he bought a piece of municipal land for R17 500 when it was valued at R150 000. The RA asked for advice on what to do in this case. The advice was as follows: Lay a criminal charge with the police against the official concerned and all the officials who approved the sale. Make sure that you have the documentary proof – in this case, the municipal evaluation as well as the offer to purchase. Then write to the Minister of Local Government, with copies to the Auditor General, the Public Protector and the Provincial MEC for Local Government, informing them of the suspected corruption.
- In Hartebeespoortdam, the quality of the local water is so bad that it can be classed as an emergency, and under these provisions the local RA was compelled to intervene. The dispute action and withholding of funds has had some success.
Personal comment: Without wanting to sound pessimistic, things are going to get worse before they get better. Anyone with the wherewithal to do so, should try to make themselves as independent of government services as possible. Look at alternative energies like solar or wind, look at raintanks, consider supporting non-governmental services. The current trend – which shows no sign of being reversed – consists of deteriorating government services combined with steep increases in taxes and rates. The NBU is setting up committees to deal with water quality and repair of roads. Other committess are in the pipeline. Join these committees to get your town working again.
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