EDITOR – A front-page newspaper story on 27 October entitled, “Pay back the money, court says” is the best news beleaguered ratepayers in eThekwini have had in a long time.
For far too long the citizens of this city have been the victims of the incompetence of cadre deployment and corruption. It follows only twenty four hours after another front page story, “City in R30m cash crunch”. Why? Because a lack of planning in the rush to evict tenants and do a deal with a soccer academy, now reveals that moving the mounted Metro Police unit will cost a small fortune. This is nothing short of pure incompetence.
At a time when the Mayor, and his fellow travellers pay lip service to the eradication of corruption in this city, the decision by a high court judge to hold two municipal employees in the Harry Gwala District Municipality, personally responsible for their gross negligence and/or fraud is a massive step forward.
A legal expert was quoted as saying that it is high time we hold individuals personally liable for gross negligence, fraud or theft. In the recent case of the Serengeti Rise development at 317 Currie Road, the judge was scathing about the role played by the municipality. We wait with bated breath to see whether the investigation by the municipalities Investigation and Integrity unit, which was requested by affected citizens, will yield results. A similar request was made to the Public Protector.
At a meeting that our organisation Save Our Berea had with the City Manager and senior officials, the attitude of these self-serving officials was made clear. We were told to submit our complaints in writing and that the official concerned would give full answers in writing. Then came the crunch. We were told if we didn’t like the answers then we could take them to court. What the official did not say is that he would use the public’s money to defend his position. One of our complaints on that list was the debacle at 317 Currie Road, which has since gone to the high court and earned the wrath of a high court judge. Why can we not claim back those legal costs, which were taken from our rates?
Councillors, and city officials who walk around proudly displaying their badge of arrogance must be made to pay personally. This decision is a game changer and to use the words that have become so commonplace in South Africa – pay back the money and these people must fall.
Kevin Dunkley
Cheryl Johnson
Save Our Berea
