Dying diggers of Namaqualand need saving
by Andrew Louw – DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate |
Error! Filename not specified. |
Date: 02 May 2019 |
Release: Immediate |
ANC Provincial Chairperson, Zamani Saul, must pay back the money that Sol Plaatje municipality has written off from his account.This comes after interest of just over R10 000, on debt owed to the municipality, was wiped clean from Saul’s account.Saul is one of a number of connected individuals, including a former business partner of John Block, Tyrone Ruiters, who were “lucky” enough to have big amounts of debt cleared.The total amount of debt, of prominent individuals, that was written off, totals R3,5 million.This is not the first time that Saul’s controversial Sol Plaatje municipal account has come under the spotlight. Last year, it was revealed that Saul was in arrears of over R121 000 on his account, having racked up about a year and a half’s unpaid debt.This latest scandal just goes to show to what extent local government treats connected cadres differently to the rest of society.It is unacceptable that normal city residents, who have outstanding debt, are hounded to pay and threatened with having their electricity disconnected, yet a helping hand is extended to those in the inner circle who incur debt.The municipality has growing levels of outstanding debt. It wants to significantly increase water and electricity, as well as rates and taxes, and in turn significantly increase living costs. Yet, it makes special concessions for the ANC elite who do not pay their bills.Surely this is not the type of government that the people of the Northern Cape want or deserve?The DA will again request an age-analysis of all residential debt, accompanied by an indication of which defaulters have had their electricity cut. It’s not fair that the “connected” are not disconnected yet ordinary citizens must carry the costs of top ANC earners.Where the DA governs, we have stopped the cycle of inner circle benefits for connected individuals and have instead delivered an honest government that puts the people first.Only the DA can bring change that will fight corruption, lock up criminals and speed up basic service delivery. There should be no doubt in the minds of citizens that the time has come to vote out corruption on the 8th of May and bring much needed change to the Northern Cape. |
Related posts