GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Sias Smith, the convener of the Action Save Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNM) movement, has issued a press statement to "clear the air around the confusion that arose from the deliberate spreading of false information to the public".
He says the Action Save DBNM movement is a non-political civilian movement established to address the marginalisation of ordinary citizens who reside within the boundaries of the DBNM.
Smith deemed it necessary to put the record straight as it was brought to his attention that rumours are doing the rounds that the Action Save DBNM movement is used as a smokescreen to enhance the position of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in the Dr Beyers Naudé municipal area.
"I want to re-emphasise that membership is open to any member of the community who is dissatisfied with the status quo in the municipality, irrespective of political affiliation.
The Action Save DBNM movement will remain focused on its primary objective of saving the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality from destruction at the hands of arrogant and disrespectful councillors, managers and officials," Smith states.
He says since the establishment of the movement, several efforts were undertaken to stop unlawful actions by the latter.
"Mentioning but one, was the total denunciation of the disposing of public assets without proper public participation. Countless requests to the Executive Council to meet with the Action Save DBNM movement to give reasons for certain decisions taken by them and to discuss community concerns were either ignored or responded to with arrogance."
Smith says nothing has changed in this regard and for this reason, their efforts against the municipality can never be abandoned for the sake of promoting any political party.
"However, it needs to be remembered that political affiliation is a personal prerogative and the decisions of individuals to support a particular political party and share their views must be respected. We must never allow the movement to be divided by party politics.
We must remain focused and intensify our efforts as the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality is intensifying their ignorance towards their own electorate."
'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'
