Fears of service delivery disruptions

ence from today.

ANC volunteers and members started setting up over the weekend, while many officials have pointed out that ANC members have been so preoccupied with campaigning that little work has been done during the months leading up to the conference.

ANC provincial secretary Zamani Saul yesterday stated that they were not involved in any leave arrangements.

“Leave must be settled with the employer. However, we expect all branch delegates to be in Colesberg to register by tomorrow (today) so that proceedings can start without any delays,” said Saul.

Several Sol Plaatje City Council committee meetings have also been postponed until further notice.

Yesterday, councillors were informed that today’s MPAC (Municipal Public Accounts Committee) meeting had been postponed, as well as the Economic Development, Urban Renewal and Tourism Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

The reason given for both the postponements was the ANC conference.

Today’s Inter-governmental, International Relations Committee meeting was also postponed, although no reason was given.

The Community Services meeting, which was due to take place yesterday, was also postponed until further notice, while Tuesday’s Transport, Roads and Stormwater Committee meeting was postponed until Tuesday next week.

The Ward Committee meeting which should have been held on Tuesday this week was cancelled.

Last week’s Spelum Committee, as well as the Safety and Security Committee meetings were also postponed.

Head of Government Communications, Monwabisi Nkompela, said that any government official, irrespective of rank, was permitted to attend the ANC provincial elective conference, on condition that they obtained pre-authorised leave.

“Government services will not come to an end because of the ANC conference, we remain a government at work,” said Nkompela.

Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Risimati Shivuri, added that the SAPS in the Northern Cape were fully prepared to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order and to protect and secure the safety of all citizens and property.

“The South African Police Service has deployed members at the ANC conference in Colesberg in order to maintain public order. “For security reasons the number of police officials deployed and cost implications cannot be shared in the public domain.”

Shivuri assured the public that the policing activities in other parts of the Province would not be affected during the conference.

“Cluster commanders, station commanders and all members in the Province are always ready and prepared to answer any call of duty when the need arises. The police will discharge their responsibilities in terms of the laws of the Republic of South Africa without any fear, favour or prejudice.”