\u2022 A contentious issue, which led to the lodging of complaints against the ANC and mayor Mike Masina, at various human rights watch bodies for xenophobia, was finally rephrased, much to the delight of former ANC mayor and present Cope councillor, Mr Ben Mokoena.<\/p>\n
Mr Mokoena was forced to petition the watchdogs after the ANC refused to rephrase point 4.1 of Resolution C53\/01\/2015, voted on in January, stating that “no foreigners be tenants of the Steve Tshwete Housing Association”.<\/p>\n
Mr Mokoena argued that the phrasing was fueling xenophobia while government, at all three tiers, were supposed to be the bastions of human rights.<\/p>\n
The ANC majority voted in favour of the discriminatory stance, which led to Mr Mokoena calling on human rights watch bodies to intervene.<\/p>\n
On Thursday he told the Observer that the ANC has since reversed its stance, and that the wording was changed to: “Steve Tshwete residents be afforded first preference to be tenants of the Steve Tshwete Housing Association”.<\/p>\n
The motion calling for point 4.1 to be rescinded and replaced, was however withdrawn by both Mr Mokoena and DA councillor Niekie van Wyk, after the ANC sneaked the resolution back onto the agenda.<\/p>\n
“The backdoor tactics used by the ANC to save face, by not conceding defeat, but rather reintroduce the resolution onto the agenda to look like they recoiled against xenophobia, is of no importance, its on record that they voted against foreigners at January’s sitting, no back peddling will change that,” a defiant Mr Mokoena told the paper.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The ANC was however not so lucky to get away with a number of motions pertaining to service delivery failures.<\/p>\n
The ANC supported the motion of DA youngster, Palesa Mobango, relating to a resolution taken in November last year, calling for Rand Water to start with the installation of bulk water services for Newtown, be implemented with immediate effect.<\/p>\n
During the sitting it was argued that the trenches dug by Rand Water for services, posed a threat to Newtown residents.<\/p>\n
The trenches are still uncovered, and the government entity is yet to start installing bulk water services, six month after the resolution was taken.<\/p>\n
Since there is no excuse for a adopted council resolution not to be enforced, the ANC had no choice but to concede.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Councillor Hennie Niemann of the DA was also victorious in getting the ANC so far as to agree that municipal officials be tasked to carry out inspections in all suburbs, and serve notices on the owners of undeveloped stands which are overgrown, to have them cleaned.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The ANC voiced its concern over another resolution taken in November last year, which hasn’t been enforced.<\/p>\n
The DA’s Jos Pretorius tabled a motion calling for council to execute resolution M11\/11\/2014, and ordering law enforcement officers to remove the people that loiter in Laver Street. Large crowds of job seekers, gamblers and loiterers gather daily in Laver Street. The situation is unsanitary and opens the door for crime.<\/p>\n
Since there are by-laws prohibiting loitering, the ANC again had no choice but to support the motion, after claiming that it was difficult to adhere to the resolution as the loiterers moved in and out of Laver Street, outside business hours.<\/p>\n
“This is simply not true, whether you drive down Laver Street at 06:00, at 13:00 or at 17:00, they’re there and they’re many,” caucus leader, Hennie Niemann, told the Observer on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The dogs and cats of Middelburg also matters to the Democratic Alliance, and though a bit premature, the DA’s Gys Romijn gave an emotional plea for by-laws governing the sale and distribution of fireworks, to be strictly implemented by municipal law enforcers during the festive season ahead.<\/p>\n
The ANC was again trumped by the by-laws and supported the motion.<\/p>\n
“Action, action and more action, what else needs to be said?” Mr Niemann commented.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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