ANC rejects Cape Town anti-poor budget
The ANC in the Western Cape rejects the draft budget tabled by the DA in Cape Town as it does not fully take into account the dire needs of the majority of poor and ordinary people.
It is clear from the DA-lead City of Cape Town's proposed budget that poor and ordinary people will once more have to pay a hefty price for ever rising rates and basic services during the coming financial year. It is not good news for the majority of Cape Town residents as it will leave them poorer, says the ANC.
Mr. Songezo Mjongile, secretary of the Western Cape ANC, says: "For the fifth consecutive year of rule under the heavy handed DA in Cape Town the price hikes are once again above the inflation rates. Electricity jumps by 19.94%, rates are going up by 5,9%, water and sanitation by 8,2% and solid waste removal by 5,5%.
"This will drastically increase the total municipal account for most residents and make it unaffordable for the majority. Although the budget proposes increased rebates for the indigent residents it is part of an election ploy to win votes in the forthcoming elections, since it is not enough to improve the quality of life in the city."
These increases come while the city did not collect R3,8 billion of arrears. Over the last six months 49 000 warning letters have been issued for non-payment, with the cutting off of 11 334 water and 11 120 electricity meters.
The ANC says while the DA boasts about good governance and management, this does not mean good service delivery since residents in poor townships complain about bad roads, faulty sewerage systems and unclean public areas. Billions of Rand have been spent on new infrastructure but existing ageing infrastructure is crumbling and not enough spent on maintenance and repairs.
"Too much is allocated to management services and not enough on critical service delivery departments. Almost R3,34 billion is allocated to corporate and financial services but less than half (R1,61 billion) on health, housing, economic and social development.
"Huge operating cost for the MyCiti bus service (Integrated Rapid Transport) and stadium is also draining the city coffers of much needed funds for service delivery. This budget is definitely not a pro-poor budget and proves the DA does not care about the majority poor and ordinary working class people," says Mjongile.
Statement issued by Songezo Mjongile, ANC Western Cape Provincial Secretary, February 24 2011
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
