The DA is consulting their legal advisers after releasing a statement in which they have rejected the outcomes of the ward committee elections in Makana Municipality held two weeks ago.
The DA is consulting their legal advisers after releasing a statement in which they have rejected the outcomes of the ward committee elections in Makana Municipality held two weeks ago.
In a statement released yesterday, DA caucus leader Mlindi Nhanha said the DA in Makana rejects the outcomes of the elections of ward committees held in the past two weeks, stating that the process has been not only flawed, but also contradicts Council policy that regulates such elections.
Nhanha said this comes on the back of Council Speaker Yandiswa Vara having arranged election meetings – only to be forced to backtrack and change the dates because the meetings were not properly advertised and voters not given sufficient notice as required by law.
“The DA has observed in all ward committee elections (with no exception), policy that regulates such elections being outrightly disregarded. For instance, the policy does not say whether an employed or unemployed person is eligible to stand for election. In her wisdom, the Speaker decided that in some wards only unemployed people are eligible for election,” he said.
Nhanha argues that excluding people based on their employment status is not only against the policy but it also excludes other citizens of Makana because they happen to be fortunately employed.
“No amount of reasons can justify this unconstitutional act. In other wards, the criteria invented by the Speaker (were) waived and employed people were allowed to stand for election. This is inconsistency at its best,” he said.
The DA also alleges that one of their members was deprived of the right to vote in the elections.
Nhanha said a DA councillor was refused her constitutional right to vote in her ward, on the basis that at the meeting she was representing Council.
“This is untrue, because she attended the meeting in her capacity as a ward resident – only to be called to the front when spotted by the presiding officer,” he said.
The DA challenged the voting process, saying according to the policy, elections should be conducted through ballot papers; however, in all the ward committee elections in Makana it was done by a show of hands.
Nhanha said they had brought these issues and many others to Vara’s attention, only to be told she could only respond in 14 days.
“This kind of ANC arrogance and disregard of the Constitution cost them Nelson Mandela Bay and many other key municipalities,” Nhanha said.
“Friendly caution: your days are numbered in Makana as well, come 2019 and 2021.We are consulting with our legal experts at head office and we are considering our options,” Nhanha said.
Speaking to Grocott’s Mail yesterday, Vara said she was unable to respond to questions about the issues raised by the DA because she has a meeting scheduled with the party today to discuss the issues.
“I will only be able to respond once I meet with them and get specific details about the issues they have raised,” she said.
anele@grocotts.co.za
