[VIDEOS]: No show for public participating meeting
The first people started leaving Town Hall an hour after the meeting should have started.
A meeting arranged by the municipality to give residents a chance to raise their voices regarding the proposed West Rand Metropolitan Municipality turned out to be a no show.
One by one people started to leave Krugersdorp’s Town Hall after staring at eight empty chairs on the stage and seeing how sound and camera technicians struggled to set up their equipment to capture the meeting proceedings an hour after the meeting should have started yesterday.
Mogale City residents sing as they leave:
At about 4pm the hall started vibrating with the echoing sounds of people singing as they left the hall unhappy.
The deadline for objections expires tomorrow 5 June.
Mogale City DA Caucus leader Christo Peyper:
Christo Peyper, DA Caucus-leader for Mogale City said it is not the first time this had happened and they have actually expected it.
“We think the ANC is scared for the opposition and they are realising this whole metro merger is unilaterally handled. The fact that nobody attended is just part of the political game that they are playing to prevent that what can happen in Krugersdorp.”
He said the DA opposes the metro merger and they definitely do not want it.
“It is not for the benefit of the community nor for any of the municipalities that are involved.”
EFF’s Joshua John is unhappy:
Joshua John from the EFF said they are also opposing the proposed merger.
“We have been called for a meeting, but everyone who was supposed to be here from the leadership was not here without informing us. We as the EFF are very dissatisfied and don’t support the merger plans – that is why we are here to talk about it.”
“It’s a disgrace!” says Amanda de Lange:
Amanda de Lange, Freedom Front Plus Councillor for Krugersdorp and the regional leader of the West Rand said the meeting is a disgrace.
“There was also no one here to represent the Municipal Demarcation Board. We are against the formation of a metro because redistribution of wealth and resources does not guarantee transparency and as it is the municipalities are bankrupt except for Mogale City.
“There is no chance that we will financially support such a big move from a normal municipality to a metro.”
Resident opposes West Rand Metro merger:
Muldersdrift resident Deon Lotz attended the meeting with his daughter and mother and said he too is dissatisfied.
“I came here to oppose the proposed merger, but unfortunately nothing transpired and I find this pathetic that they can even call this a public participation meeting.”
Nkosana Zali, Mogale City municipal spokesperson was asked for comment but no response was given by the time of going to print.
DA Ward Councillor Lynn Pannall leaves:
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