LETTER: IDP meeting leaves Hoedspruit residents angry and frustrated

I am writing this in my capacity as the Municipal Portfolio Member on the Chamber of Commerce, a report back on IDP Draft Budget meeting that took place on March 27.

Where is your money really going and what kind of constituted meetings are really being held? Interested and affected parties – both from in town and the surrounding community areas – are being asked to attend and provide input to. The IDP Forum meeting was held about 3 weeks ago. That meeting was really just an information meeting, the main thrust of which was to advise those attending what a Municipal Audit is and how it should be carried out. The difference between a qualified and unqualified audit was also explained. Yes, informative but it lasted about 2 hours and got us nowhere.

Today, another invitation asking for input. The actual IDP Representative Forum meeting to present the Draft Budget. The invite always says “Your input is most welcome”. I arrived in good time for the meeting scheduled to start at 10h00. The meeting started 20 minutes late after a request to the Mayor’s office that the meeting start on time. This is actually progress as the previous starting times have been reduced by about 30 minutes.

The Agenda in the printed pack handed out stated “Welcoming Remarks” by the Honourable Mayor: Cllr Thobejane M.H. The Mayor was not in attendance and an “Acting Mayor”, dressed in Orange overalls from the Extended Public Works Programme (EWPW) presided over the he meeting. With respect, I don’t think anyone heard the reason for the Mayor’s absence and nor did they hear the name of the lady who was now presiding.

Mr Aubrey Shabangu, the IDP Manger is however, to be congratulated on the way that he presented the details as well as the budget. And for speaking in English, which everyone understood. Thank you Aubrey. When it came to question time, people put up their hands to speak and they were acknowledged. My hand was up with the second run of questions but, apart from “I have recognised your hand” from the Acting Municipal Manager, I was never given a chance. At least 20 community members spoke and, even whilst speaking their own home language, it was possible for me to pick up the thread of their questions. They sounded like valid concerns.

The meeting then got very heated and out of control. Blame for this lies squarely on the shoulders of those at the table in front of the hall. They were not able to control the meeting and also seemed uncomfortable with the questions being posed from the floor. The people who continued to disrupt the meeting had already been given their opportunity to speak. Why was there no control?

I never got my chance. All I wanted to do was say, formally and through the Chairperson, that “I have a number of questions but that I would welcome the opportunity, on behalf of the Chamber, to please meet with Aubrey one-on-one” to discuss them in order to obtain some clarity”. Both Patrick as Chairman of Chamber and myself have interacted with various community members, I was going to suggest that, instead of the meeting getting heated, that I would note their concerns and that they too could be addressed in a meeting with Aubrey. The IDP Officer, Fortress, was taking notes. However, I was merely trying to offer some kind of order to a meeting that I could see was getting heated.

When the meeting was shut down without my being allowed to speak, a few community members approached me. One very clear comment was “They are just putting that large amount in the budget so that they can steal more of our money”. The community is frustrated. Ratepayers should be even more so. Given the recent articles that have appeared about the apparent misappropriation of money, the awarding of tenders without due process, the awarding of jobs based on nepotism, the Municipal Manager eventually ‘being forced to resign; maybe it is time that we all sat up and took notice.

Do yourselves a favour and obtain a copy of the Draft Budget. Maybe a quick reference to the previous years would also be interesting for comparative purposes. Don’t forget that it is the rate payers who are funding the Municipality to a large extent. We have a right to know that our money is being used wisely and to the benefit of all concerned.

And in closing, I arrived home after the 3 ½ hour meeting to yet another invitation asking us to attend a meeting on Wednesday, 28th, also at the Municipality. This time it is a LED meeting. Apart from the formal wording, the comments below state: “The purpose of the meeting is to provide guidance, oversight and advisory support towards the effective and successful implementation of Maruleng Local Economic Development Strategy for Local Development” (quoted) and ending with “Your attendance is of utmost importance”.

Really? I have been attending these kinds of formal meetings for about 6 years now. Every year it is the same. Every year, no notice is taken of any comments that are made from the floor. Are we merely going through the process to conform to Legislation? Whose time is being wasted?

These kinds of meetings usually end with a long line queuing for lunch. Is this really necessary at an additional cost to Ratepayers? A quick word with the Acting Municipal Manager, reminded her that we are still waiting for feedback from our current Technical Services Manager. Lilly promised it to us by Monday 19th. Some of the issues on our list under discussion, date back to October 2016. Our current Technical Services Manager leaves before Easter. I also reminded Lilly that we are still waiting for a date for the follow up meeting, attended by some of her senior role players. They were all to consult their diaries. I had already sent her two reminders. The response? “Oh, I will have to consult my document”.

The ratepayers and communities in and around Hoedspruit are getting angry. We are moving beyond frustration. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. Too many people in Acting positions for too long. How can there be accountability and forward planning under these circumstances?

Most people are aware that there are avenues through which to escalate our unhappiness. What will it take before we do this?

Thank you.

Joan Arnestad