Wasteful MyCiTi litigation

YOUR article “Residents take MyCiTi fight to court” (April 1) reflects the culmination of a tedious battle between concerned residents of Wynberg and an arrogant DA administration.

It is common cause that there is absolutely no need to waste hundreds of millions of rand on constructing a new route when there are already two viable alternative routes for the MyCiTi project that could be used instead.

Mayco member Brett Herron has also not endeared himself with ratepayers following the recent public inspection of the proposed route by members of the National Council of Provinces. Before abandoning the delegation in the presence of the media, Herron claimed that he was unaware of the meeting with the South Road residents. As far as I am aware, the South Road Families Association had requested specifically to only meet with the members of the NCOP on the day in question as the city had all but ignored their calls for a meeting and moratorium on the evictions.

I do not understand Herron’s retort, therefore, as he had merely been invited along to comply with protocol given that he is the local mayco member for transport.

I note with deep concern deputy mayor Ian Neilson’s comment that “the city has appointed attorneys to give effect to the notices to vacate the houses”. As your article correctly points out, there is already an interdict application before the High Court to be heard on April 29.

It would be a waste of taxpayers’ money for the city to further litigate against our citizens in a lower or another court when the thorny issue of the South Road evictions and the lack of public participation are already on the High Court roll for full evaluation of all the facts and the law.

I trust that sanity will prevail and that the DA administration in the city will protect the public purse by not proceeding with unnecessary and vexatious litigation in this matter. COLIN ARENDSE Wynberg