Listen to the voice of the people
MOST people are now familiar with Abraham Lincoln’s universally-acclaimed definition of democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
One would have imagined that after 23 years of democratic rule in our country, this most basic principle would be clearly understood by the ANC leadership of our city – after all, the mayor and her ANC councillors in the eThekwini Municipality represent a party that helped bring democracy to our country after many decades of totalitarian rule under apartheid.
But, by passing a city by-law amendment which effectively bars the public and media from attending certain council meetings, they are behaving in a manner that is totally undemocratic – and arguably unconstitutional.
It is therefore not surprising that civil society organisations have reacted with such outrage and mounted angry protests at the ICC last week where the council was holding its meeting.
In fact, so widespread and vehement are protests that more than 20 civil rights groups in the city are intent on taking legal action to have the by-laws reversed.
The eThekwini Municipality argues that while meetings are supposed to be open to the people, legislation also provides for certain meetings to be closed to the public subject to the nature of the issues being discussed.
At a time when the country is reeling from damning allegations of state capture, mismanagement and rampant corruption in government, what guarantees do the people have that this gag on the media will not be used to protect those guilty of corruption and theft within council?
What the citizens of the city need is clean and efficient government which ensures equality for all, irrespective of race, colour or creed; better service delivery and an enhanced quality of life for all.
This can only be achieved in a climate of openness and transparency in which citizens have a meaningful say in the way their city is being run and where their elected leaders can be held accountable for their actions and decisions.
ANC councillors in eThekwini need a wake-up call. They must recognise and respect the critical role the media plays in informing and educating citizens of their rights and how decisions taken by council are going to affect their daily lives.