Committee demands meeting with mayor

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A few protesters gathered outside the Dr Beyers Naudé municipal building in Graaff-Reinet on Friday 20 November, demanding to see Deon de Vos, mayor of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNLM).

According to Action Committee Chairperson, Sias Smith, a protest was scheduled for 10 November but due to Covid-19 concerns, the protest was cancelled and a meeting was instead proposed with all concerned parties.

Smith said a meeting was requested with De Vos, to take place within a week from 10 November, as well as with the municipal manager and all council members.

Some of their concerns relate to what Smith called "improper" increases in rates and taxes and the 40% deduction of municipal electricity of residents of the northern areas of Graaff-Reinet.

According to Smith, De Vos has been refusing a meeting with the committee since March this year.

"The community was not engaged during this important process, making the meeting and decisions discriminatory and the meeting in its entirety illegal," Smith said.

He added that, instead of relief being given to the disadvantaged communities during the difficult time of Covid-19, a rate increase of 6% and municipal salary increase of 6,25% for DBNLM was proposed, while electricity and water meters, rates accounts, the maintenance of roads, the provision of sanitation, waste management, and the provision of water and job creation have not been addressed to the Action Committee's satisfaction.

Smith said the Municipal Manager, Dr EM Rankwana, refused a meeting with the committee and proposed they make an appointment with the municipality.