‘Cut rates for families of dead councillors’
NELSON Mandela Bay mayor Ben Fihla is set to ask council to approve giving the families of deceased councillors a 20% rates and services discount as a way of honouring them.
However, not all the families will benefit as the city will conduct an audit before deciding which ones are most likely to need assistance.
There was mixed reaction from opposition parties and residents to the plan, with some – like the DA – totally opposed to it.
The UDM said it supported the plan but added it was concerned the families might be chosen based on what party they were aligned to.
COPE said the city should exempt needy families of the dead councillors altogether from paying rates.
Fihla revealed his plan yesterday at the Donkin Re- serve during the launch of the garden of remembrance in honour of the 52 councillors who died between 1994 and last year.
“The municipality will also consider [the] establishment of a trust for children of deceased councillors to assist them through education. We will be doing that for needy families after we have done a thorough audit and reference check.
“I will lobby and influence council to consider as part of 20 years of celebrations of our democracy a 20% discount for all these families for the payment of their services,” he said to applause.
“The municipality will resolve how to take that process forward. The relevant directorate will process what needs to be done. We must show the true colours of a caring government.”
Fihla said the second phase of the project would be to name halls, streets and parks after the councillors in the wards they had served in.
Hundreds of people braved the cold weather to attend the launch where 52 euphorbia trees were planted, with memorial plaques bearing each councillor’s name next to a tree.
Families of the dead councillors, current and former councillors attended the launch. ANC MPL Christian Martin and MP Cedrick Frolic were also present.
Deceased ANC councillor Noncedo Ngqondi’s brother, Gift, who works as a consultant for the municipality, said while his family was coping without his sister, others were not.
“I think giving rates and services discounts to the families of deceased councillors would be a good ges-
ture, because some families are really struggling.
“I know the families of [deceased councillors Khaya Mkhesa and Wonga Nkala] are really struggling financially and this would go a long way in assisting them,” he said.
A video of all 52 families thanking the municipality and Fihla was shown.
“These men and women did not die in vain. They died for us to be where we are today. We will continue to cherish, remember and love them,” he said.
During the launch, the DA, COPE and UDM leaders heaped praise on their predecessors and promised to continue delivering services to residents.
But in an interview after the launch, DA caucus leader Retief Odendaal, who serves on the budget and treasury portfolio committee, said he was surprised to hear of Fihla’s plans.
“I was a bit taken aback. It has certain legal ramifications and I don’t even think it is possible [to implement].
“I can understand where the mayor is coming from because some of the families are struggling but we would be setting a precedent if that were to happen,” Odendaal said.
UDM councillor Mongameli Bobani said the party supported Fihla’s plan. “But we would like all the families of the deceased councillors to benefit and not just those who will be seen as needy.
“Our fear is that if we say only the needy families will benefit, they might be chosen according to who they are politically aligned to,” he said.
COPE councillor Mzwandile Hote said: “We’ll support the needy families getting a 20% discount but bring a gesture that says: ‘Why don’t we exempt the needy families from paying rates and services [altogether]?’ The families are not many and that won’t be a big chunk of money.” – Additional reporting by Nomazima Nkosi and Yonela Mgwali