Councillor controversy: Princess launch not attended
They weren’t at the official launch of the housing project because of total disregard for their involvement, Mann said.
DA councilors Carl Mann (Ward 85) and Gert Niemand (Ward 71) were not at the launch of the Princess Plots Housing Project yesterday (Monday 6 July) because they were disrespected, according to them.
Albeit regarding informal settlers across both their wards, Mann and Niemand did not attend the launch because they were not formally invited or briefed regarding the events, Mann on behalf of the pair told the Record.
He also accused the City of Johannesburg member of mayoral committee (MMC) for Economic Development, Roslyn Greeff and ANC PR councillor Willie van der Schyf of holding meetings at Plot 22, where the first phase of the development is taking place, “without the knowledge of the standing councillor for that area [Niemand].”
He described the launch held in their absence yesterday as “a total disregard of and disrespect towards our involvement in those communities”. Mann said both councilors are currently observing recess, which gives the councilors a break during school holidays. He was on holiday with his family when a distressed Niemand phoned him about the launch last weekend.
When he took to the podium to deliver a speech during yesterday’s launch, City of Johannesburg MMC for Housing Dan Bovu said about the absence of the councilors, “I just heard a ward councilor was not informed properly of today’s launch — I will speak on his behalf, then, being closer to council.”
“I wasn’t personally invited nor briefed about this launch,” a disgruntled Mann told the Record on Monday afternoon.
“[Niemand] told me he merely received an SMS on Saturday night explaining the launch.
“This is a political game to gain votes and following prior to the elections in 2016.”
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Also read: Princess: R1 billion to be spend on housing
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