27th July 2007, Page 2 - Edition 197

The Midlands Herald

Page 2 — 27th July 2007 Continued from page 1

From the Chamber — Council Matters Council Comment uMngeni divided! The unfortunate autocratic management style of the uMngeni administration has divided uMngeni. It has alienated the ratepayer, both urban and rural. As a result, the municipality’s manClr Tim Lindsay-White agement does not have the confidence of those who are expected to pay their salaries, and they will not have their respect until meaningful public consultation, transparency and accountability are honoured. As long as mere lip-service is paid to the mission statement of community participation the divide between the administration and its ratepayers will grow. We are repeatedly told that letters to the municipality go unanswered, and that Ward Committee needs are not replied to — let alone addressed — a year into the current term of office, whilst not even in council is there reciprocal healthy debate. Were the views of residents respectfully considered before erection of metro-billboards at critical intersections in Howick and Hilton destroying the ambience of our villages whilst promoting conglomerate business at the expense of the local economy? Were interested and affected members of the public given the opportunity to voice their disquiet before establishment of a waste industry alongside businesses at the gorge edge, disregarding legislation and due process? Were residents of Howick consulted or even informed before evisceration of our leafy tree-lined Main Street? Was due consideration given to the impact on our community and local economy when attempts were made to bully the ratepayer into submission over exorbitant rates increases? Is the community ever asked how they would rate general management in respect of performance bonuses? Has management ever been transparent with the public about how much they are being paid? What has happened to the reportback concerning the plight of the mayor having been forced to leave his home, under body guard paid for by the ratepayer? Where were the mayor and municipal manager when the community needed them during the terrifying fires of 25 June that devastated much of the municipality, and the bleak aftermath? Are we to believe that a political party’s strategy policy conference in Gauteng was more important? Is the municipality living on borrowed money? Is 35% loss of water and electricity acceptable? Is almost R100 million outstanding debt, much of it over five months due, reasonable? Who’s listening to the frustrations of our Hilton residents when they have to cart their refuse halfway across the municipality? Are residents up the Currys Post Road going to be heard when they protest against the establishment of a crematorium on the hill alongside the dump above them? You can contact Tim on 083 379 8051.

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The struggle continues! uMngeni Municipality finds itself between a rock and a hard place. Unfortunately (for itself) it is part of a three-tier structure Editor Russell Barnes whereby it finds itself answerable to provincial government, based in Pietermaritzburg, which in turn is answerable to our national government. And unfortunately (for itself) our national government subscribes to policies that recognise the rule of law, freedom of the press, community participation, etc. Not great news for a self-constituted autocracy. As the general gist of this week’s edition clearly shows, the municipal management and its ANC councillor allies are trusting that they can continue to get along with their masters in Pretoria — mayor Edward Dladla and municipal manager Dumisani Vilakazi even attended the recent ANC strategic conference there — while snubbing their noses at their laws. Our page 1 report tells that their provincial overlords, having carefully looked into, for their credibility, concerns by the public about possible corruption, have this week instituted a forensic audit into some of their activities. In return, Mr Vilakazi seems intent on a witch-hunt to intimidate possible whistle blowers, and this is not surprising. He is used to doing just as he pleases. The DA have over the past two years made nearly a dozen appeals to Province regarding items of information that the municipality refuses to disclose. Despite support for their applications from the Freedom of Access to Information Act, Province has yet to look into any of the matters. This of course tells Vilakazi that he can get away with hobnobbing with Pretoria, or with anyone, but without listening to what they say. On another tack, it is interesting how quickly some people forget their recent past. Remember the old days of the struggle against an autocratic regime? Some people have already forgotten that they are only where they are because of democracy. Earlier this month The Herald for the first time put posters up around the town advertising its stories in the most recent edition. Over the next few weeks, four of them were torn down and destroyed; not surprisingly these were all the ones that advertised our “millionaire municipal manager” article. That story itself has had a widespread effect. Picked up and run by the Witness it found its way into The Sunday TribAbove: One of The Midlands Herald’s une, The Mercury — and even “millionaire” posters this month to Sky News! attached to the bars of a Howick shop. However, the national government subscribes in principle to democracy, a free press and the participation of the community. And so the cabal in Howick finds itself between a rock and a hard place. The struggle continues.

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Sunfield foils scam Members of the public are warned that there have been several instances of cons concerning prospective tenders and are advised to seek official confirmation directly from the departments concerned before entering into any agreements. Gratitude also goes to the various investigating departments. There have been two other instances of similar scams reported in the media in the past few days. Continued from page 1

Official enquiry into uMngeni’s affairs

person or persons to investigate the matter. In a letter, the minister advised that his concerns related to allegations and supporting documentation as to possible maladministration, fraud and corrupt practices occurring within the uMngeni Municipality. He stated that he as minister and his department would continue to make every effort to ensure that the municipality implements effective, efficient, transparent and accountable management and internal control systems in the interest of transparency and accountability in government. Vilakazi wants enquiry into enquiry However, municipal manager Dumisani Vilakazi has called for an enquiry into the minister’s forensic investigation. Speaking during an item tabled concerning the matter at the July meeting of Council on Wednesday, he said that he wanted to see the information that had been supplied to the minister and threatened his own action toward those responsible for calling his administration into question. According to a report in Wednesday’s Witness, Lennox Mabaso, spokesman for Mr Mabuyakhulu, confirmed that a forensic investigation was under way at the municipality but refused to divulge details of its terms of reference. On Tuesday Gauteng-registered vehicles arrived at the municipal offices, from a Gauteng-based firm of auditors, Ubuntu Forensics. “Sources in the town hall say that there was a lot of unhappiness at the sudden arrival of the investigators,” the page 1 article said. “Some felt they should have been informed by the Local Government Department that the probe was to take place.” uMngeni councillors were informed about the investigation at their full council meeting yesterday afternoon. Sources present said some ANC councillors blamed their counterparts in the Democratic Alliance for the investigation, accusing them of sending information to the MEC’s office in an attempt to discredit their administration of the mu41 Bell Street, Howick nicipality. Tel 033-330 8116 • 330 5546

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