The DA will be taking up the matter at all spheres of government, in the interests of the safety and security of all residents in Ekurhuleni.
“It is alarming that the mayor and his executive committee have seen fit to deal with an issue going back 20 years in just a matter of days, seemingly in an attempt to make a self-inflicted problem go away,” said DA councillor Mary Goby.
“The biggest question mark is around the suitability of these recruits, who will be required to bring about improved law and order.”
According to Goby, recruits taken into the metro’s Peace Corps Programme are undoubtedly amongst those who have regularly protested outside the Germiston council building, at one time holding councillors hostage in the council chamber and, in another incident, as recently as last year, going on the rampage through the council offices, assaulting terrified staff members, confronting the Speaker with physical aggression and destroying furniture and office equipment.
The latest of these protests allegedly happened just a fortnight ago.
The DA will be requesting details of each and every recruit, the planned training they will receive and with what funding, the precise authority they will have, whether or not they will carry weapons, the exact nature of their jobs and their individual legitimacy, amongst a myriad of other questions.
“There has been no consultation or discussion whatsoever on the matter in the Community Safety Oversight Committee, which raises alarm bells about the speed and carelessness of the decision made, again exemplifying the ANC’s complete disregard for democratic procedures,” added Goby.
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