Drakenstein council and Mayco-predictions

One of the first tasks of the newly constituted municipal council would be the appointment of senior office bearers, including the mayoral committee.

Before one add any names to a portfolio the constituting of a new council is also an opportunity to reconfigure portfolios and align it with the plans of the administration. Now that might not happen with the incoming administration, but I will still play around. 

First, I would add recreation to the public safety portfolio, I mean at any event there should be public safety. Secondly to put focus on the economic growth and development of Drakenstein as a city I would create an Economic Opportunities and Tourism portfolio and add Human Settlements and Rural Development together.

Finance: There are rumours that Gert Combrink might not be returning as Deputy Mayor, should that be the case and he miss out on this portfolio two excellent candidates would be Jako Matthee and Aletta van Staden. Both would also be excellent choices for Chief Whip.

Engineering: Rumour has it Koos le Roux will be returning as Speaker, leaving the portfolio vacant. Two potential candidates are Johan Miller and Anre Koegelenberg.

Public Safety & Recreation: Rean Smuts has retired leaving the portfolio vacant. This could go to Aidan Stowman, Reinhardt van Nieuwenhuyssen or first-time councillor Avron Apollis. 

Social Services: Should Stowman get Public Safety and Recreation, Apollis might get Social Services. Another candidate for is Laurishia van Niekerk.

Inter-Governmental Relations and Communication: It is highly unlikely that Van Nieuwenhuyssen would return to this portfolio, leaving the door open to Van Niekerk. Another candidate would be Rita Andreas.

Environment, Parks & Open Spaces: Christephine Kearns looks set to return to te portfolio.

Human Settlements & Rural Development: Lorraine Cyster might be returning to the portfolio and take on rural development as well.

Arts, Culture & Sport: It looks like a definite that Lorenzo Arendse will take on the Arts, Culture & Sport portfolio. 

Corporate Services: Patricia Mokoena will not be returning the council leaving the portfolio vacant for first time councillor and former PA to the Mayor, Elizabeth Baron.

Planning and Development: Should Miller be moving to engineering the likely candidate for this portfolio might be first-time councillor Stephanus Liebenberg.

Economic Opportunities & Tourism: Rita Andreas should be the likely choice for this portfolio should it be created, thanks to her successful first term in the rural development portfolio. Should the new portfolio not be created she will most probably return to her old portfolio. 

Voters made an x for the devil they know

Voters made an x for the devil they know. This is the conclusion one can draw from the recent local government election. 

Despite the ANC and DA still being the two biggest political parties, they did not have a good local government election. 

Both should also be doing some serious introspection.

While at it they may as well look at and compare their message to that of other parties. Their ignorant approach and avoiding the noise that often cause distraction is what cost them votes.

The voter percentage everywhere was down. There are many factors to that, for starters the Independent Electoral Commission was not ready for an election. In their defence they said before the proclamation they not ready, but that is just poor planning. Secondly the election was on a Monday that was a public holiday, and many compatriots took a long weekend. There are other factors as well like the weather and fact that political parties did not offer any real service delivery solutions and speak to the heart of voters.

In Drakenstein with 51,44% the voter percentage was 13,80% less than the 64,72% in 2016. There were 131 182 registered voters of whom 67 483 voted in 2021, compared to the 129 265 registered voters of whom 83 666 voted in 2016.

Despite the DA and ANC retaining all the wards and the ANC winning one from the Progressive Democratic Movement (PDM), the DA lost 7 and ANC 2 seats. The DA went from governing with a comfortable 66% to a 55% support, while the ANC went from 23% to 19%. This is a lot for the two big political parties.

On the ballot paper there were 19 political parties of whom 11 have won seats in the Drakenstein council. There was an expectation that GOOD would perform well, but they disappointed and managed only to perform uhm good [sic]. Nevertheless, they took votes from the DA and in some wards from the ANC. 

Meanwhile the Freedom Front Plus, Concerned Drakenstein Residents, ACDP and Patriotic Alliance did very well. Icosa increased its support, but there was an opportunity for them to do better. Big surprises in the election were the EFF, who lost votes, and the PAC and Al Jama who both increased their support.

Why did the DA and ANC still do better than the smaller parties? Both can run bigger campaigns and, based on a summarised response from a few voters, they voted for the devil they know.

Several wards had a voter percentage of under 50% with wards 5, 8 and 24 at 41%, ward 14 had 40% and ward 16 with 35% the lowest. The highest voter percentage was 71% in ward 2, but still lower than in 2016. The DA’s support in wards dropped from 66,30 to 54,92%.

Compared to 2016 the DA lost the most support in ward 20 (31,82%), ward 24 (30,81%), ward 14 (26,69%), ward 22 (26,18%) and ward 25 (25,78%). The party had a slight increase in ward 6 (4,67%) and ward 28 (0,7%).

The Freedom Front Plus performed well in ward 2 gaining 24% of the vote, where the DA lost 23,68%. GOOD did good in ward 25 (25,92%) and received 17,81% in ward 33 where the DA lost 21%. In ward 11 the DA lost 22,74% where Good received 15,67% and CDR 14,81%. CDR also performed well in ward 14 (16.81%) and got 14,86% in ward 13 where the DA lost 23,4%.

Smaller parties who did well, based on the voter percentages from 2021 vs 2016 and political party representation in council, is a clear sign that voters are not happy with the bigger parties and sending a message to parties that votes can be taken back.

The challenge now is for the duly elected public representatives of the fifth Drakenstein municipal council to be just that: public representatives. It is especially the smaller parties who will need to show they can be an effective opposition, with a bigger task resting on the shoulders of those entering council for the first time to make an impact on their communities.

Some entering council will learn that there is a difference to being an activist and being a public representative and saying things are easier than getting things done, as well as the consequences for some decisions.

GOOD will have to be careful not to make the same mistakes as the Independent Democrats back in the day, while CDR needs to be careful not to walk the same path as that of the Federation of Democrats during the second administration.

Most important for our public representatives is that the newly formed government might have been given a mandate, but that should not be taken for granted. Those not part of the government were also given a mandate to hold local government accountable and ensure they play their part in ensuring service delivery takes place.

An edited version of this opinion piece was originally published in Paarl Post of 11 November 2021.

DA Cape Town no.2 more interesting

The DA announced Geordin Hill-Lewis as it's Mayoral Candidate for the City of Cape Town. An announcement that came as a no surprise.

There are a few important events surrounding the announcement of the mayoral candidate.

The first thing to keep our eyes on is whether the incumbent Dan Plato will complete the current term, or will he move to the national assembly and become a back-bencher or will he move to the provincial legislature.

Should Plato move to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament the second thing to keep our eyes on is if he will become and MEC and who will make space for him in cabinet?

LIFO [Last In, First Out] would probably be the easiest solution, Daylin Mitchell could be dropped as Transport and Public Works MEC and become the answer to the third important thing to keep our eyes on: who will be candidate for Deputy Mayor.

For Hill-Lewis to have governance experience is not that crucial but his lieutenants and especially number two should. It thus looks like an easy, simple move but in politics nothing is easy or simple.

Daylin Mitchell might only be minister for a few months, but he is a former chairperson of the transport and public works, as well as premier and constitutional matters committees. He is also a former deputy chief whip and deputy caucus chairperson.

One can expect the Deputy Mayoral Candidate position to be a bigger competition than the Mayoral one.

Race is a sensitive issue and the DA who believes in non-racialism might give some hope to the current deputy mayor Ian Neilson for another term or Mayco Members JP Smith and James Vos to throw their names in the hat. Neilson, Smith and Vos have the expertise for the position and would give great support to Hill-Lewis as a Mayor. It would however be difficult to convince not only voters and potential voters but also party members that with white Mayor and Deputy Mayor Candidates the DA is not a white party.

From within the DA there would be a push that the number two be a person of colour. Four names come to mind...

Top of the list is Xanthea Limberg, whose name have been previously rumoured as a potential deputy mayor candidate, followed by Zahid Badroodien.

The other two on my list might not have governance experience but they know the communities, are regularly on the ground and to an extend are engaging on the streets. They are Angus McKenzie, the Bonteheuwel-ward councillor, and Reagen Allen, chairperson of the standing committee on community safety and cultural affairs and sport.

Three of the above eight names have previously hinted at aiming for the blue cloak. There could however be wildcard candidates like Patricia van der Ross and Dr. Arlene Adams.

The DA can be very predictable, applying textbook politics, like watching House of Cards and West Wing at once. Thus, when selecting the number two for the City of Cape Town, the DA should be honest and take parties like the EFF, NFP, Good, Icosa, CDR and the Patriotic Alliance serious. 

It should also first decide whether the status quo will do or will they want to stir the pot – like deal with pending disciplinary matters…

Winde's new beginning

A week ago I speculated who will feature in Alan Winde’s first Western Cape cabinet. As mentioned then Winde can be consistent and only appoint a replacement for any possible vacancies. Read previous blog here: Winde vote for consistency or change

During a recent interview the guy known as the “jobs”-Premier confirmed he will be re-configuring the current portfolio’s and also look bringing in new younger talent. As Winde puts it: “I am not going to be around forever and we need to prepare now already.”

In the interview Winde was clear that he is looking at re-configuring cabinet to align it with the DA manifesto and only once that part is complete one can start adding names.

The incoming Premier of the Western Cape is advocating for jobs, safer communities, education that does more than the basic and the arts and culture sector to be more than performing arts but a vehicle for job creation. I’ve taken this, along with the DA’s ideal 15 national ministries and came to the following reconfiguration of the provincial executive:

- Health and Social Development
- Cultural Affairs and Sport
- Finance
- Human Settlements
- Community Safety
- Transport and Integrated Planning
- Agriculture, Local Government and International Relations
- Education, Skills & Innovation
- Environmental Affairs & Planning
- Economic Opportunities, Assets & Facilities

Adding names to the portfolio's is not that easy, as it looks...
Bonginkosi Madikizela looks set to return to Human Settlements. 
Nomafrench Mbombo has been very successful in the health portfolio and one would want her to continue with that. Because you can link the two Social Development could be added here.

Anroux Marais has been doing well at Arts, Cultural Affairs & Sport. Who can forget in her first three months she became the first MEC to go swim with lifeguards.

A possible successor at Community Safety is the former chairperson of the standing committee, Mireille Wenger. She is familiar with the portfolio, competent and being a female counts in her favour. Being married to the whistle-blower in the Patricia de Lille-saga, Craig Kesson, might raise the eyebrows though and could make a few people uncomfortable.

Another option is Albert Fritz, who headed the ministry previously. He could possibly also head Transport and Integrated Planning, a portfolio Tertius Simmers could also be given. This was Simmers' portfolio as Garden Route District Municipality MMC.
Simmers could also be given Economic Opportunities, Assets and Facilities. A portfolio currently headed by Beverely Schafer, whom I'm speculating if she does not return to the executive becomes Chief Whip.

Another candidate for Chief Whip is Debbie Schafer. That is if she does not return to Education, Skills and Innovation. Leaving it vacant for Daylin Mitchell.

It is highly unlikely that Anton Bredell will not return to Environmental Affairs and Planning. If he does not... A likely portfolio for Bredell, who is provincial chairperson, would be to move to the vacant Chief Whip position. Some will consider this a demotion and others might raise concern at separating party and state - as both positions are administrative.

A prominent DA member, who served as shadow finance minister, is rumoured to have his eye on the finance ministry.
David Maynier was Winde's campaign manager and is fit for purpose. I have no doubt that he will be included in the executive. 
The trick is that the finance portfolio is viewed as second most important after that of the premier, and both these occupied by white men in a coloured majority province is sending the wrong message.

This means dr. Ivan Meyer could head Agriculture, Local Government and International Relations. Meyer is the DA's deputy federal chairperson and most senior coloured leader in the party and has a good relationship with all three sectors.

As previously said another strong contender for Chief Whip is Andricus van der Westhuizen. The move by the former MP to the provincial legislature is surely not to be closer to retirement. Should Mitchell not be included in the executive he could become deputy Chief Whip. This is the DA showing confidence in the next generation.

Van der Westhuizen could likely also be deputy speaker. He was once upon a time the speaker of Stellenbosch Municipality. Another possible candidate for this position is Masizole Mnqasela, whose promotion is longer overdue.

In the fifth parliament the second most senior portfolio was occupied by a coloured woman. Considering that the former deputy speaker, Piet Pretorius, retired it is highly unlikely the DA will replace Sharna Fernandez as speaker.
For a first term member and speaker she did well. With the Patricia de Lille-saga still fresh, not retaining Fernandez is opening a can of worms and critics will have a field day "attacking" the DA of how people of colour, especially woman, are rejected/demoted if they become too popular.

Winde vote for consistency or change

Votes have been counted, seats allocated and now the real work begins.

The first task of the Premier-designate, Alan Winde, will be to assemble his yes-men and woman. This includes his cabinet and over the following two weeks he will be consulting to appoint that team.

Of the former DA MPLs four are retiring, two moving to the National Assembly and 20 will be returning to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament. Except for Helen Zille retiring her entire cabinet is returning.  Winde can be consistent and only appoint a replacement for himself.

Winde and his DA caucus could also use to their advantage the fact that only 27.80% or 5 of the 18 opposition MPLs are former members and 66.70% have never served in a legislature.

A possible successor for Winde at Community Safety is chairperson of the standing committee, Mirreile Wenger. She knows the portfolio, is competent and being female counts in her favour. Being married to the whistleblower in the Patricia de Lille-saga, Craig Kesson, might raise the eyebrows though and could make a few people uncomfortable.

Another option is moving Albert Fritz, who previously occupied the position. I have two scenarios replacing Fritz at Social Development.

First scenario is Anroux Marais and being replaced at Arts, Culture and Sport by Masizole Mnqasela (let’s be honest his promotion is long overdue).

Second scenario is dr. Ivan Meyer, he previously occupied the position. This leaves vacant the all-important finance portfolio.

A prominent DA member, who served as shadow finance minister, is however moving to the legislature and rumour has it that David Maynier has his eye on the finance ministry.

Maynier was Winde’s campaign manager and fit for purpose, I have no doubt that he will be included in the executive council. The trick is that the finance portfolio is viewed as second most senior after that of premier, and both these occupied by white men in a coloured majority province is sending the wrong message.

Consistency might be a safer bet. Meyer is also deputy federal chairperson of the DA and the most senior coloured leader in the party.

Meyer could make space for Maynier and move to Local Government and Development Planning, but it is highly unlikely that Anton Bredell will move.

A likely portfolio for Bredell, who is provincial chairperson, would be to move to the vacant Chief Whip position. Some will consider this a demotion and others might raise concern at separating party and state as both positions are administrative.

If Bredell is not the new Chief Whip someone who also deserves to be considered is Beverley Schafer. Having a woman in this portfolio could also be the DA silencing critics that their shortage of female leaders.

Schafer’s move to the 5^th floor leaves vacant the Economic Opportunities portfolio, one she could possible be handing over to Maynier – unless the unlikely happen and he and Meyer swap portfolios.

Should Schafer not move another strong contender for Chief Whip is Andricus van der Westhuizen. The former MP’s move to the provincial legislature is surely not to be closer to retirement. In showing confidence in the next generation the Deputy Chief Whip position could likely go to Daylin Mitchell. To date the youngest person to become WCPP MPL and who did well in his first term.

Van der Westhuizen could likely also be deputy speaker. He was once upon a time the speaker of Stellenbosch Municipality. Another possible candidate for this position is Masizole Mnqasela, whose promotion as said is long overdue.

In the fifth parliament the second most important portfolio was occupied by a coloured woman. Considering that the former deputy speaker, Piet Pretorius, retired it is highly unlikely the DA will replace Sharna Fernandez as speaker. Despite some minor flaws, for a first term member and speaker she did well. With the Patricia de Lille-saga still fresh, not retaining her opens a can of worms – critics will have a field day ‘attacking’ the DA of how people of colour, especially woman, are rejected/demoted if they become too popular.

So here’s my three list:

A caucus divided

Patricia De Lille is not the first person the DA asks to take off the Mayoral Chain. Once upon a time Peter Marais was axed as UniCity Mayor. This move was defended in the papers with a half-page advertisement and the case went to court. Minutes before a council meeting the court ruled the DA broke the law in axing Marais and saw the Mayor sliding into the council chamber.

Back then the DA said it wanted Cape Town to be a shining example to the rest of South Africa, but that under Marais’ leadership it had been dogged by crisis, controversy and scandal.

Fast-forward to the present and we are watching the sequel, this time Patricia de Lille is the Mayor. For some reason this make me think about Ghostbusters with Dan and Billy, and the sequel with Melissa.

One of the differences between the two though is that whether Patricia takes off the mayoral chain or not, the DA has a divided City of Cape Town caucus.

Although caucus meetings are closed, council meetings are open to the public and from the gallery you can clearly see the cracks in the caucus.

At the time of writing this the DA requested an Special City Council meeting for a Motion of No Confidence in the Mayor and the party laid criminal charges against Patricia de Lille. The criminal charges come after a businessman handed an affidavit to the party, making allegations of corruption and bribery against De Lille. This relates to allege attempts by De Lille to solicit a R5 million bribe.

The MONC, to be debated on 15 February, will be the second. A previous motion by the ANC was withdrawn at the eleventh hour. That happened as the DA caucus got the green light from their federal leadership to support it.

The decision by the Fedex comes after a caucus meeting with a majority vote recommended to the party higher structure that the caucus support a motion in the mayor.

This after councillor Mercia Kleinsmith requested an urgent caucus meeting to discuss a motion of no confidence in the Mayor.

The motion was motivated “all indications are that the party and its structures, the public and this caucus has lost confidence in the mayor to lead this city”.

The meeting with 152 members of caucus present concluded with 8 abstaining, 1 spoilt ballot and 59 votes against and 84 votes in support of a motion.

Taking another step back, days before Christmas the DA announced a subcommittee “found sufficient management and governance-related challenges in the DA’s City of Cape Town caucus”. As 2018 started DA leader Mmusi Maimane announced the party is formally charging Patricia de Lille, with the party’s Federal Legal Commission. This comes despite the party selling its good story the past decade. She is also accused of alleged misconduct for

1. Acting in a way that impacts negatively on the image or performance of the party
2. Failed to carry out duties and responsibilities set out by the standards required by the statutory rules required by the public office.
3. Bringing the name of the party in disrepute
4. Acted in an unreasonable and detrimental manner
5. Unreasonably failed to comply with or rejected decisions of the official formations of the party.

Prior to all this De Lille resigned as DA Western Cape Leader in January 2017. At the time she said it is to focus on only being mayor. Back then I wrote in politics it is anything goes. I also mentioned as Mayor of the Mother City she might lead the biggest DA caucus, but she’s not the first to be a government and party leader.

The resignation came days have she announced a newly revamped Executive Mayoral Committee, with four mini-mayors and a deputy now without a portfolio.

Whether Patricia de Lille is acquitted on the charges or not, both internally and the criminal charges, service delivery in the Mother City is in the hands of a divided governing party. From the 152-member caucus 84 councillors will be happy not to see the first citizen return, or disgruntled that she is returning.

While the party is not addressing the division, one need to ask if the Mayor takes off the chain will there be a push to remove the 59 who supported her. The same question can also be asked if she gets to keep the mayoral chain, if there would be a push to demote or remove the 84 councillors.

We should also not forget the 9 councillors who did not vote and 2 who were absent (on leave). Will they make their alliance known or continue to play neutral?

What if from the 84 or 59 councillors had a change of mind?

The DA’s Federal Congress is taking place later this year, in little over a year we will have a general election and campaigning will kick-start in a few weeks. The DA is determined to win enough votes to be the national government. Before all this the party would want to consider working on unity to say #BetterTogether.

Considering political parties are dependent on votes, it does not take a lot to know the Patricia-saga will cost the DA votes. Insiders say the party’s own polls even suggest this.

Let’s also not forget there is the possibility of a court challenge by DA MPL Lennit Max, after losing the provincial leadership and now citing vote rigging. The courts could order a re-run of the provincial congress.

The party leader took political control over the biggest crisis a DA government has faced. Someone should perhaps advise Mmusi Maimane to allow the experts to ensure we have water. He should perhaps, before all the votes dry up, want to focus on the tension and division within not only the City of Cape Town, but caucuses where the party governs.

You might also be interested in: Own Goals & DA confusion

Own Goals...

Own goals, that could hurt the DA at the ballot box. Those the words of many senior party members in reaction to the ongoing saga surrounding Patricia de Lille.

In a previous blog, DA Confusion, I said you not alone if you feel confuse about the charges against the Cape Town Mayor. Well now we know the charges [see bullets i to v below] but developments since then would appear as if some are jumping the gun [skip to the conclusion if you cannot wait].

Earlier this week the Western Cape High Court ruled Mayor Patricia De Lille be allowed to attend City caucus meetings when matters of governance are discussed, after parties involved reach an agreement. (see bullet d below)

This ruling comes a day after JP Smith returned to party activities and on the same day party leader, Mmusi Maimane, said he would the next day [Wednesday 24 January 2018] announce a multi-disciplinary programme of action to deal with the management of averting ‘Day Zero’ [water crisis].

Maimane then launched and said he is personally taking responsibility for #DefeatDayZero. The DA leader who said he is taking political control also announced a Drought Crisis Team, that notably excluded the Mayor of the first City in the world to possibly run out of water.

Why mention this, because hours after this launch the DA City Caucus held a special meeting discussing the Mayor’s fate.

On Sunday councillor Mercia Kleinsmith requested an urgent DA caucus meeting to discuss a motion of no confidence in the Mayor.

“There are simply too many worrying matters, actions and press releases that are in contradiction with DA policies and values. All indications are that the party and its structures, the public and this caucus has lost confidence in the mayor to lead this city,” Kleinsmith motivated the motion.

A five-hour marathon meeting concluded with 152 of the caucus members voting: with 8 abstaining, 1 spoilt ballot and 84 votes in support and 59 against it.

The City of Cape Town Council has 231 seats. A majority of 116 votes is needed for the motion to pass.

The caucus decision now goes to the Federal Executive for consideration but the green light might not be given before the next council meeting on Wednesday 31 January 2018 – where an ANC sponsored Motion of No Confidence, that was handed in last month, will be tabled.

De Lille reportedly says she is not worried about the decision.

“The party has to decide on that. It is not council, it was the DA’s caucus meeting. I am still the mayor of Cape Town and I can only be removed by the full City of Cape Town. It does not say anything.”

While councillors are constitutionally allowed to table such a motion it is important to note DA candidates for Mayors; deputies and speakers are selected by a selection panel pending the approval of the FedEx, before the relevant caucus formally nominate and vote for such candidates.

Perhaps good to remind ourselves that in especially the last two elections DA leaders travelled across the country selling the good governance and corruption free City of Cape Town. “Where we govern, we govern well,” is what we were told. Ironically the person leading the well-run City is now accused of serious allegations by the very same council she is leading.
Patricia de Lille is also charged by her party for alleged misconduct for

1. Acting in a way that impacts negatively on the image or performance of the party
2. Failed to carry out duties and responsibilities set out by the standards required by the statutory rules required by the public office.
3. Bringing the name of the party in disrepute
4. Acted in an unreasonable and detrimental manner
5. Unreasonably failed to comply with or rejected decisions of the official formations of the party.

To take another step back, late in 2017:

(a) A public war of words broke out between the Mayor and a member of her mayoral committee, JP Smith. At the centre of the spat is the disbanding of the City’s special investigation unit – that resorted under Smith.(b) Smith also wrote a letter to party leaders, that leaked to the media, mentioning speculation of unauthorized security alterations at Patricia De Lille’s home.(c) An official, Craig Kesson, implicated the mayor in serious allegations concerning two senior staff members. Read Affidavit(d) Patricia De Lille and JP Smith were both placed on special leave from all party activities – this included from attending caucus meetings. Read Statement(e) Prior to a DA federal executive meeting where Patricia De Lille’s submissions on why she should not be fired, Federal Council Chairperson James Selfe told City Press “it is not whether the mayor has done anything right or wrong. The issue to decide on is whether the DA has confidence in her and her ability to run the city and to manage the caucus”.“If a decision is made that De Lille should resign and she refuse, we will have to instruct the DA City caucus to support a motion of no confidence,” Selfe added.

 

It could be all a coincidence that the #DefeatDayZero launch, De Lille’s exclusion from it and her caucus voting to support a motion against the mayor all happened on the same day.

What does boggle the mind – considering everything above – is that the DA caucus might have jumped the gun and with their vote declared Patricia de Lille guilty (of the allegations against her) and decided on her punishment, before there has even been a judgment, let alone a hearing.

DA confusion

If the charges against Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille is confusing, don't stress. Even senior DA leaders don’t know what is going on, or not going on.

The Democratic Alliance is possibly also scoring own goals with this matter and it could deal the party a raw hand at the polls come #Election2019.

Questions that need answers include:

- Why the silence from senior party members?
- If there is proof of corruption why has Mmusi Maimane not visited a police station, to allow the authorities to investigate the allegations?- Why is there a lack of transparency? - If there are discrepancies in the report, which was highlighted, why present a flawed report?- The tender irregularities are regarding the buses. Why is the mayoral committee member for transport not mentioned? Surely if you the political head of a department you meet with your ED and ask questions, if you pick up things are not what they should be?- Bowman Gilfillan concluded that Patricia De Lille is guilty of forwarding City of Cape Town reports to the DA Leader. Mmusi Maimane himself have said this is not true. This makes one wonder can we believe the rest of the content in the BG-report?- The DA has been preaching separation of power between party and state. Yet these events involve the party in state processes [one clear example is a statement on 14 December 2017 that reads: The DA prides itself on excellent governance standards, guided by the values of accountability and transparency. For this reason, the Leader directed the caucus of the COCT to establish an independent investigation to probe these allegations.]- The DA boast and used the City of Cape Town in their election campaigns as the benchmark for good governance, that is corruption free. Why is the person leading that group being accused of serious allegations, why is there now management and governance-related challenges?
Read extract of special City of Cape Town Council meeting resolutions of Friday 5th January 2018 here.

Perhaps to try and put the above questions in context: towards the end of 2017 three things happened:

(1) A public war of words took place between the Mayor and her Mayoral Committee member for safety and security, JP Smith. At the centre of the spat is the disbanding of the City’s special investigation unit – that resorted under Smith.(2) From the above spat; news broke of security upgrades at the Mayor’s private residence, when Smith in a letter to party leaders Mmusi Maimane and James Selfe pointed to speculation that security alterations at De Lille’s home were made illegally.(3) Craig Kesson, executive director (ED) in the Directorate of the Mayor, implicated the mayor in serious allegations concerning two senior staff members. See Affidavit

De Lille says she has proof she paid for the upgrades from her own pocket, while Speaker Dirk Smit is on the record for saying security upgrades were all done within the legal framework.

In October the DA announced De Lille and Smith, who is also the DA City of Cape Town Caucus Leader and Deputy, were put on special leave from all political party activities. It was also announced a subcommittee will investigate the political management and governance situation in the City of Cape Town. Read statement

Following an affidavit from Kesson two separate issues transpired:

(i) The City of Cape Town Council decided to launch an independent investigation into the serious allegations against senior staff members, and(ii) The DA welcomed above investigation and express their confidence in it.

In November the DA issued another statement saying, “it is important to note that the allegations involve serious questions of good governance and maladministration”. It called members to order by saying “we call on all those who have the City and the DA’s best interests at heart to focus on supporting and co-operating with the”. But stop short of mentioning any names. Read Statement

Ten days before Christmas the party issued another statement saying the subcommittee completed its work and “found sufficient management and governance-related challenges in the DA’s City of Cape Town caucus, negatively impacting the City’s mandate to govern efficiently”.
It also suspended De Lille, pending the outcome of the independent investigation and asked De Lille to submit reasons why she should not resign as Mayor.

What remains a mystery is as what was De Lille suspended, as she was already on special leave from party activities and the party cannot suspend her as Mayor.

Section 58 and 59, read together with section 26, 27 and 28 stipulated when a Mayor and councillor vacate office.

Chairperson of the DA Federal Council James Selfe confirmed to City Press the mayor made her submissions and that this would be considered at a federal executive meeting.

A decision will be made, despite ongoing investigations by the city, he added.

“Our inclination is not whether the mayor has done any right or wrong. The issue that the federal executive have to decide is whether the DA has confidence in her and her ability to run the city and to manage the caucus.”

Selfe added if a decision is made that De Lille should resign, she will be informed accordingly. "If she refuses to do so, we will have to instruct the DA City of Cape Town caucus to support a motion of no confidence in her.”

The City of Cape Town is not the only headache the leadership sit with, numerous other caucuses have their challenges.

In October the DA removed their deputy mayor in Knysna, Peter Myers, in a vote of no confidence – this because he spoke out against incidents of maladministration.
In December four George mayoral committee members [Mercia Draghoender, Belrina Cornelius, Gert Niehaus and Johan Stander] were removed and the Speaker Iona Kritzinger and Chief Whip Michael Nyakati are to move to the mayco in a drastic reshuffle.

Then there’s the courtchallenge by DA MPL Lennit Max, after losing the provincial leadership, citing vote rigging. There is the possibility of the courts ordering a re-run of the provincial congress.

The DA’s Federal Congress is also set to take place in April/May and it is expected Mmusi Maimane will stand for a re-election. Leaders and their demographics elected at this congress will be important for the DA, as the party prepares to go to the Union Buildings in 2019 (but the congress and whether the DA will get the keys to the Union Buildings is an opinion for another day).

Overcrowded delayed trains anticipated next 2 years

Trains in the region are subjected to be overcrowded and delayed for the next 18 to 24 months. 
Nope not an SMS-notification or announcement but what members of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Transport were told during a briefing by Metrorail.

Ironically the meeting started with the Metrorail delegation being delayed – not from a train, but security processes signing in.

The rail operator painted a picture of crime crippling the network, preventing it from delivering a reliable service to it’s hundreds of commuters.
Metrorail requires 88 train sets to operate a normal service, but has since October 2015 loss 101 carriages in arson-related incidents. The result? shorter trains and train cancellations. It also stated five years ago no one bothered with trains but these days more of Prasa assets are targeted.
It managed to make 200 arrest in July, 127 less than the 327 in February this year. What is interesting about this figure is for the year there has been no arrest for pick pocketing and only one for a fraudulent ticket – in March.
“It would appear as if Metrorail is now more focused on taking on rail crime than running trains,” said Nobulumko Nkondlo (ANC).
For Masizole Mnqasela (DA) it seemed as if there is no relationship between Prasa and the justice cluster, while his colleague Mark Wiley wanted to known if the State Security department is part of Metrorail’s specialised task team.
Metrorail says they not shifting the blame, but appeal that the different government agencies work with them for the rail operator to deliver a service. “We need to know why trains are burning at 1am. It cannot be because of delays, those trains were not late.”

Committee chairman, Nceba Hinana, says what concerns him is people hanging out from trains.
Although it mentioned being active on social media, commuters able to check train updates via GoMetro and SMS-notifications sent to commuters, Metrorail admitted communication is a challenge, saying they do not communicate enough to commuters.
Regional Manager, Richard Walker, shared with the committee that he himself commute by train and he also find it frustrating to arrive at a station and the electronic board is not working or don’t reflect a delay.
“One of the reasons why people board the first train arriving is because of the uncertainty if there will be a next one or what time it will arrive, adding to overcrowded trains. Part of attending to this is being more predictable.”
Metrorail’s train design team is currently re-looking the timetable and commuters could soon receive communication regarding a revised timetable, to take effect September 1st 2017. 

Two interesting points from Metrorail’s presentation of 50-slides, that even the honourable members failed to notice, is:
1) Their main stakeholder (commuters) is not included in the list of external support and partnerships.
2) Metrorail don’t now it’s own boundaries and where it runs a service. In it’s introduction it states its operations stretch across 6 municipalities and lists them as Cape Town, Drakenstein, Winelands, Breede River, Swartland and Helderberg.
Firstly a simple Google-search would have told them there is no Winelands and Helderberg municipalities. 
Secondly Metrorail’s operations stretch across: Cape Town, Drakenstein, Witzenberg, Breede Valley, Stellenbosch and Swartland.
The provincial transport minister, Donald Grant, also attended the meeting and said what is unacceptable is that commuters at times have to wait three hours for a train.
Metrorail reacted there exceptional cases do occur. 
ANC’s Cameron Dugmore says “we in agreement, Metrorail is failing and now we need to solve it together".  
He also tweeted what I’ve previously stated the problem is bigger than Metrorail. And continued: “he is not convinced the current plans are enough”.
He also suggested that Metrorail appear before the committee again, with fewer slides, and go into detail on the turn around strategy. Dugmore also want commuters and other stakeholders to be part of the meeting and give their input.
MEC Grant’s concern however is what is being done about the service for next week and next month.
Mnqasela gave the best summary of the situation: “we in a crisis and it cannot be business as usual”.


Metrorail’s solution is summarized in their accelerated turn around actions and includes:

• Increase train set availability from 60 to 65 in the next 3 months.
• Increase train set availability from 66 to 70 in the next 6 months.
• Increase train set availability from 71to 75 in the next 9 months.
• Increase train set availability from 76 to 80 in the next 12 months.
• Increase train set availability from 81 to 88 in the next 18 months.
• Reduce short trains from 86% to 50% of available trains.
• Increase reliability by
• Improving availability of rotating machines and wheels by fast track process to require components
• Availability of materials and spares by finalising regional tender process.
• Reduce signal infrastructure delays by rehabilitation of conventional signalling systems, migration of copper to fire, vandal proofing of signalling equipment and reinstatement of level crossings
• Reduce perway infrastructure delays by fast tracking procurement and approve contracts with Transnet.

Race vs. Party

Patricia de Lille’s resignation as leader of the DA in the Western Cape sure came as a shock for many. And her reason: to only focus on her role and govern as executive mayor of the Mother City.

In Mother of (only) the City I mention that you never trust everything you being told in politics and that it’s a game of practically anything goes. But now the DA's stronghold province is faced with electing a new leader...

Prior to the announcement end of January rumours have been going around about some trying to get Western Cape Premier and former DA Federal Leader, Helen Zille, to take on De Lille for the provincial leadership at the next congress.

Both De Lille and Zille are known for supporting change and younger leaders. One can thus not be blamed for assuming the two iron ladies reached a truce to allow the young(er) guard to rise.

Front-runners in the provincial race appear to be Acting Provincial Leader, Bonginkosi Madikizela, and DA Cape Metro Chairman, Shaun August.

In a discreet way the two have been campaigning on Facebook.

August’s campaign is highlighting the success of the party in the metro, under his leadership.

Madikizela’s campaign seems to be to get the support of the big guns to endorse him.

Call me crazy but one of the many random thoughts I had was that this is still De Lille vs. Zille – August is one of the former ID leader’s trusted aides and Madikizela once worked in the office of the former Mayor.

Apart from my random thoughts though, from social media it looks like August is leading.

Important maybe to mention the Interim Provincial Leader will be elected by ±120 delegates, of whom fifty percent of the total council comprise members of the Metro-region.

The two politicians are however not the only ones in the race.

Western Cape Standing Committee Chairman for Cultural Affairs and Sport, adv. Lennit Max, is also trying again. The former Western Cape ID leader, without any success, took part in the 2015, 2010 and 2007 race.

Also in the race is the only female, Dr. Arlene Adams, a City of Cape Town councillor. The former academic in a recent interview said: “If you don’t enter a race‚ you lose 100%. For a candidate‚ I have given myself a 25% chance”.

As for being the only female, competing to take over the position previously held by a female, Adams said she taught there would be more women putting themselves forward.

“I am stepping forward as a woman representing‚ embodying those people who do not speak and I am hoping they will understand that’s what the party is about.”

Delegates heading to Worcester will have to ask themselves if they voting for race, to see who crosses first, or for the party.

Just for those coming with majority in the province are coloureds, so a coloured should lead: note that in the North West, Limpopo and Eastern Cape where more than 90% of the population is black, the party leader is coloured (Joe McGluwa) and white (Jacques Smalle and Athol Trollip) respectively.

What is interesting about this election is that the person would possibly only be Interim leader until the provincial elective congress in August 2017 (should he or she not stand again).

The party won’t admit its factions and infighting – like who would – but they there. [And this is not me campaigning] but why not go for a neutral interim leader, who can keep the ship steady until the Provincial Elective Congress.

While the last academic, dr. Wilmot James, ran unsuccessfully for a leadership position, I am tempted to say the unknown dr. Adams could be a safe bet.

To build on the success of the party August, who already proven himself in the Metro-region and is DA Chief Whip in the City council, might not be a bad choice.

One could also argue adv. Max, who is a former provincial police chief, might be what the party needs to address the growing crime rate.

If you want to be traditional though, Madikizela who is also provincial housing minister and elected deputy party leader would be your choice.

Given the campaigning of not only the past three weeks, but months, delegates will have to ask do we vote for the race or the party?

And if the 2016 US Presidential election taught us anything: it’s don’t trust social media, it’s anything goes.