Amended delegation of powers slated by the ACDP

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) councillor for Mossel Bay, Jeanette Gouws, has "strongly objected to the changes made to the delegation of powers in the Mossel Bay Municipality council meeting on 28 September".

Gouws noted in a media release that legislation allows councillors to delegate some of their decision-making powers that will maximise administrative efficiency but it must be done in such a manner as to ensure that there are checks and balances.

Such delegations also do not divest council of its responsibility, according to Section 59 (2e) of the Municipal Systems Act, Gouws stated.

"The amendments before council stripped some municipal officials of their decisionmaking powers and grant these powers to the DA via their majority in Section 79 committees. Municipal officials will now only implement the decisions made by the DA," Gouws stated.

Two committees which have recently been established are the Land Use Committee and the Events and Businesses Committee, Gouws noted.

"This means the DA will be making the decisions about what kind of businesses get licences in our town and who gets those licences. The DA now also decides what land will be used for, how that land will be alienated and even in some instances at what price. This is an untenable and outrageous situation and is rife with the possibility for corruption to flourish," Gouws noted.

"By granting itself these powers the DA has effectively captured the Mossel Bay Municipality."

According to Gouws: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is evident in the council of the Mossel Bay Municipality where the DA rides roughshod over opposition parties and makes a mockery of the ideals of democracy."

Gouws said democracy, in its purest intent, was meant to allow for the rule of many and not, as was practised in Mossel Bay, the rule through tyranny of the majority.

"The ACDP hopes and trusts residents will not grant the DA an outright majority in the next elections, so that appropriate checks and restraints will be placed on all political parties in government," she concluded.