The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has accused the speaker of council, Connie Baphela, of riding roughshod over opposition parties and denying residents of the city their right to representation on the over R46 billion budget.
According to the DA, Baphela, put the cart before the horse when she ruled that the council should vote to pass the full operational and capital expenditure budget before she had allowed debate on critical items in the house. The DA objected to the speakers ruling and left the council chamber in protest after it had recorded its vote on the items.
“In a City where residents’ expenses are higher than their income, the proposed above inflationary tariff and rates increases are, quite simply, unacceptable,”said DA councillor, Victor Penning.
He objected to the speaker’s ruling, citing the need to debate that and other crucial issues affecting residents of Johannesburg.
Penning took a go for those who criticised their action. “The suggestion that the ‘excuse for the walk out is wafer thin or without substance’ is ludicrous in the extreme. The residents can only be properly represented when debates are allowed to proceed.”
He retaliated that for the DA to pass or oppose items, it is imperative that its voice is heard, before the item is forced through by the ruling party’s majority.
“Councillor Baphela’s abuse of power displays the arrogance and blatant unwillingness of the ruling party to entertain suggestions of good governance which could save residents money,” Penning concluded.
