LOUIS TRICHARDT – The Democratic Alliance staged a walkout on Tuesday, February 25 during Council's monthly meeting, arguing that Council is infringing their human rights by withholding important information regarding the Executive Committee's recommendations.

The walkout followed various objections by the DA in the past regarding the lack of information in Council agendas and Council's continuous use of verbal recommendations during Council meetings. The agenda for Tuesday's monthly Council meeting consisted of 22 items, all of which reflected the same recommendation, namely the "The recommendation of the Executive Committee will be put verbally during the meeting."

The DA contingent, under the leadership of Cllr Timothy Maanda stated that the Constitution provides that everyone has the right of access to information, especially if that information is required for the exercise or protection of any rights. He said that this right is clearly violated, as they did not receive the information that would enable them to exercise or protect their rights and the rights of those who voted for them.

Shortly after the DA contingent stood up to walk out, they were instructed by the Speaker, Joan Hoorzuk, to please sit down. She stated that if they walked out, they would do injustice to the community that elected them. The Municipal Manager, Mr Reuben Rambado was then given the opportunity to explain Council's actions.

Mr Rambado explained that by again stating Exco's recommendations in Council's agenda would be a duplication of Exco's agenda of which each and every councillor has a copy thereof. His explanation, however, fell on deaf ears with Cllr Maanda leaving Council chambers, stating that no constructive debate can take place, as they did not have enough time to prepare for the meeting. Cllr Marie Helm afterwards said that although she understand the concept of duplication, it has happened in the past that Exco changed or amended a recommendation, after Exco's agenda was printed. In such cases, they and other councillors do not have enough time to prepare arguments as they do not known what these changes or amendments entail.

Following last week's meeting, Mr Rambado explained that Exco might pick up something in its recommendation that was not included in the original recommendation. They then change or amend the recommendation, but given the time frame between Exco's meeting and the monthly Council meeting, which immediately follow each other, Mr Rambado said that it is not possible to reprint agendas.

Mr Rambado also said that in cases where recommendations are changed or amended, Council is informed of this during the meeting, after which the changes or amendments are conveyed to councillors. If no changes were made, Mr Rambado said, it is stated that the recommendations stand as is.

Mr Rambado, however, added that they are experiencing serious problems regarding inputs by the different portfolio committees. These committees must at times deliver inputs on recommendations before they are recorded, but seldom deliver these inputs on time. Mr Rambado said that this also means that the recommendations cannot be recorded in the agenda, as it is not finalised yet. In such cases, he said, you will also find that it is stated that the recommendation will be put verbally as they still await inputs of the different portfolio committees.