The Makhado Municipal Council’s lack of transparency and its irresponsible, high-handed and one-sided approach to residents’ interests is heading for a disastrous collision course.

The Chairpersons Association (CA) this week expressed its serious concern about the total lack of response from local, provincial and national authorities on its objections against the dubious actions of the Makhado Municipality with regards to the prescribed consultation process which should precede the adoption of a proposed new property rates policy.

Indications are that the Makhado Municipality is about to steamroller a property rates policy, described by local experts as “a destructive monstrosity which will seriously infringe on the rights and interests of property owners and which will have a disastrous long-term effect on would-be investments in the municipal area.”

The CA warned about the very real danger of unprecedented public outrage and of a municipal boycott. They insisted that the proper consultative process, prescribed by law be conducted and that the new property rates policy should therefore not be adopted by Council at this stage, in the interest of the principles of acceptable corporate governance.

The CA warned, in letters addressed to the mayor, the municipal manager, the provincial MEC for Local Government and Housing and the National Minister of Provincial and Local Government, that the municipality’s mala fide infringement on the rights of the residents will lead to extreme public outrage and costly court action which should be avoided.

It called on Council to follow the correct procedures in a transparent manner, as required from them in their dealings with the interests of the public.

“The task of the council is to serve the interests of the public in a transparent manner and not to bulldoze their rights,” says the CA.

These written objections followed developments after a committee meeting held during May 2006.

“It was indicated clearly during this meeting that this was just an informational meeting and the first of many meetings to be held in a lengthy process. Questions were specifically asked in this respect and specifically answered that we did not have to make any input at that stage, as this was just an explanation of a draft policy. It was never indicated that this was a final consultative meeting. In fact, we were at no time during the meeting consulted in any way, but merely given information. We were also promised that we would be furnished with a copy of the minutes of the meeting, which we never received,” says the CA in its written statements.

In its letter to the chairperson of the Makhado Municipality’s executive committee, the CA said the whole matter should be referred back to the executive committee for consideration of all the objections. Although all recipients of these written statements were requested to treat the matter as extremely serious, to date, neither the chairperson of the executive committee (the mayor) nor the municipal manager, nor the MEC or the minister has responded.