We want to overturn turn the damage your party has done‚ but we need you help to remove those of your party members who did it.
That’s the gist of an open letter penned by the Democratic Alliance’s Western Cape leader‚ Patricia de Lille‚ to Jacob Zuma about the state of affairs in Oudtshoorn.
Writing to Zuma in his capacity as “president of the African National Congress”‚ De Lille said: “You have repeatedly stated that the ANC is a body that fought for the democracy and constitutional order we enjoy today. Part of that order is respect for the decisions of the electorate and the orderly transfer of power according to the law.”
De Lille reminded Zuma that her party “now occupies‚ through coalition‚ a majority of seats in the Oudtshoorn municipal council”.
“We intend to take up this mandate from the people‚ overturn the damage of the ANC government‚ and begin to deliver to the people of Oudtshoorn as we do in all other municipalities where we govern.”
This could be stymied‚ De Lille continued‚ by an ANC-led coalition which has “refused‚ firstly‚ to accept the outcomes of democratic elections in Oudtshoorn‚ and secondly‚ has refused to call council meetings where duly processed motions of no confidence can be tabled‚ so that a DA mayor can be sworn-in”.
De Lille accused ANC members and ANC-aligned politicians of abusing the offices of the mayor‚ speaker and the municipal manager to use “council resources to defend frivolous actions in court with the ultimate aim of preventing their ejection from office”.
They have also “allegedly offered inducements to other councillors in exchange for votes; and have ignored court orders”.
“I cannot accept that the ANC believes these tactics are in the best interests of democracy‚” said De Lille.
“This state of affairs has led to severely impaired service delivery and an unaccountable government serving the interests of its office-holders and not serving the people of Oudtshoorn.”
De Lille said she would be instructing DA caucus members to proceed with the process of removing these office-holders “as soon as the law permits them to”.
“I call on the ANC to intervene with your caucus members in Oudtshoorn and to instruct them to adhere to democratic processes and procedures.
“The ANC must demonstrate its commitment to democracy with actions‚ as well as words‚” De Lille concluded.
De Lille calls on Zuma to call his members to order
We want to overturn turn the damage your party has done‚ but we need you help to remove those of your party members who did it.
That’s the gist of an open letter penned by the Democratic Alliance’s Western Cape leader‚ Patricia de Lille‚ to Jacob Zuma about the state of affairs in Oudtshoorn.
Writing to Zuma in his capacity as “president of the African National Congress”‚ De Lille said: “You have repeatedly stated that the ANC is a body that fought for the democracy and constitutional order we enjoy today. Part of that order is respect for the decisions of the electorate and the orderly transfer of power according to the law.”
De Lille reminded Zuma that her party “now occupies‚ through coalition‚ a majority of seats in the Oudtshoorn municipal council”.
“We intend to take up this mandate from the people‚ overturn the damage of the ANC government‚ and begin to deliver to the people of Oudtshoorn as we do in all other municipalities where we govern.”
This could be stymied‚ De Lille continued‚ by an ANC-led coalition which has “refused‚ firstly‚ to accept the outcomes of democratic elections in Oudtshoorn‚ and secondly‚ has refused to call council meetings where duly processed motions of no confidence can be tabled‚ so that a DA mayor can be sworn-in”.
De Lille accused ANC members and ANC-aligned politicians of abusing the offices of the mayor‚ speaker and the municipal manager to use “council resources to defend frivolous actions in court with the ultimate aim of preventing their ejection from office”.
They have also “allegedly offered inducements to other councillors in exchange for votes; and have ignored court orders”.
“I cannot accept that the ANC believes these tactics are in the best interests of democracy‚” said De Lille.
“This state of affairs has led to severely impaired service delivery and an unaccountable government serving the interests of its office-holders and not serving the people of Oudtshoorn.”
De Lille said she would be instructing DA caucus members to proceed with the process of removing these office-holders “as soon as the law permits them to”.
“I call on the ANC to intervene with your caucus members in Oudtshoorn and to instruct them to adhere to democratic processes and procedures.
“The ANC must demonstrate its commitment to democracy with actions‚ as well as words‚” De Lille concluded.
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