Knysna Residents Association

KNYSNA RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

NEWSLETTER APRIL 2016

Dear Members,

With the current national uproar over corruption in high places, it is nevertheless incumbent on us to keep our own home in order.

Despite reporting maladministration to the Knysna councillors, they do little about it. We have supported the anti-mosque location homeowners association who are suing the council.

We are also litigating because of their disregard of laid down procedures as regards the Pierpoint development. The good news so far is that the developer has withdrawn his objections to our accusations.

Our website lists items which we pointed out and which have not received proper attention. The MPAC (Municipal Public Accounts Committee) is chaired by an ANC councillor, who has been granted a large study bursary – which we have also queried. His committee appears to whitewash problems!

The arrogance of our Mayoral Committee in disregarding a meeting held by Province in Cape Town has been glossed over. The Mayor has gone on record that the ISDF debacle has been resolved, whereas it is still under investigation by Province. She also flaunts our 'clean audits' which means that the figures add up and that money was spent as approved – not that the approvals were wasteful or not in our interest!

The qualifications required of our officials is ignored. Our Municipal Manager's appointment is suspect, as is that of an official who has a certificate instead of the required honours degree.

We all had such high hopes when we elected councillors to run our town. Unfortunately, the calibre of councillors leaves a lot to be desired. Our Ratepayers' Association is prepared to work with anyone – but only if they are prepared to respond to our queries. We noted their refusal to side with ratepayers who overwhelmingly voted against the councillors' proposal of allowing drinking in public places!

The sorely tried SA Police Services are grossly underfunded. Richard Thorpe our police forum liaison committee member is in close touch with all aspects of crime prevention in Knysna. Some 34 cameras are being installed in central Knysna and being monitored by Allsound. Our police don’t have enough money for their vehicles' tyres. Surely we can lend them a couple of the half million Rand vehicles which our Municipal Traffic cops ride in and give the latter bicycles or scooters!

We were delighted when the Mayor took our advice and refused councillor increases – but this was negated when the current increases were backdated! Our bypass has been constantly skirted around by council. We were told that they were awaiting environmental approval – then some lady Ministers from Cape Town arrived to declare that the SANRAL reserve is to be used for building 10,000 RDP houses. Their accusation that only racists want the bypass – so as to separate those living on the hill – is contemptuous! Where will the infrastructure and water come from for another 40,000 people?

The reality of a 3% population growth nationally and 0.6% economic growth points to an uncertain future of unemployment and hunger. Our local economy depends on tourism, which in turn depends on an environmentally clean and crime free town.

I have distrusted car guards ever since my car was stolen - while they watched. Yet it is a form of employment and we should remember the adage 'there but for the grace of God go I'. On a recent visit to Hornlee I was touched when told that parishioners had taken 25 years to build their church – that is dogged determination.

We may not have the Choo Tjoe but we do have many dedicated people in Knysna who work for general upliftment – think of Sinethemba which gives street kids a new life and the direction offered by the Sea Cadets.

Our committee consists of such people: Richard Thorpe is an integral part of many Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention forums within the town, Andrew Joubert our computer boffin and advisor on security matters, Graham Macdonald our Scot who pinpoints departures from austerity and Lisa Titley who attends to our admin at all times. Susan Campbell is pivotal in our staying within the law and her advice is much appreciated.

Finance Minister Gordhan says that we must do away with profligate waste – he should see our municipal office revamps, high-priced cars and needless expenditure, e.g. the taxi rank which was built arbitrarily and is today a source of drug dealing among the stalls. Judge Mogoeng says clean up our act – referring to unethical leaders.

We hear sirens ten and more times a day, more than I recall in the Emergencies on the East Rand in the 80's. Is this necessary for a peaceful coastal town? Our water restrictions are not due to drought but to lack of maintenance on our pumps.

It is said that 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Don't despair - in the coming elections you can make a difference. Don't vote on promises but on performance. I'm opting for a coalition to rein in and monitor whoever runs our beautiful town.

Please pay your annual R50 subscription or send a donation to us at: Absa 632005 a/c 9301892 703 as we believe that it's the best value for money around.

Let us hope that the new crop of councillors after 3rd August will do better for us all.

Yours sincerely, Ian Uys Chairman