Politicians don’t deserve protection from criticism
Van Belkum should spend his time educating himself with political realities and rather confess to his own standing on the 'political tote' pre- and post-1994.
EDITOR – I only met Jeff van Belkum very briefly on one occasion and it was immediately clear that he has difficulty understanding the spoken and written word and therefore he makes incorrect inferences.
Not only does he spell my surname incorrectly but to couple me on the ANC tote is indicative of his style and telling half truths.
I am seriously looking forward to the outcome of the complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission. His complaint will be seen as a storm in a teacup. It has been said that it is futile to correct a fool because he will hate you but a wise man will appreciate it, therefore the following is for the benefit of the reasonable person. Van Belkum may chose who he wants to be, a fool or a wise man.
His submission to the South Coast Sun is misleading and I invite all interested parties to read my letters carefully with special reference to the 4 June publication.
Readers will confirm that I never accused Beetge of being dirty. I stand by my statement and I quote: “Only a loser with diminished social capacity attends a very important public meeting dressed in a washed-out, dirty pants displaying our country’s national flag on his backside”. At the said apolitical sector policing AGM, only Beetge wore a DA T-shirt even though members of other political formations were present. A reasonable person would have foreseen the implications if attendees at a apolitical meeting wore political attire. What is Beetge’s point or agenda professing these structures are apolitical?
The inference to low standing should be understood in the context of my letter in the South Coast Sun, dated 20 June and I quote: “Beetge confirms his low standing and possible reason why he is second last on his party’s provincial legislature nomination list”.
I do not blame Beetge for the state of the rivers, the bird sanctuary, the jobless in Warner Beach, drug abuse and even prostitution. Instead I have on numerous occasions requested that he informs ward 97 of what he as the councillor is doing to address these challenges.
All councillors must have the capacity to motivate and be on the forefront with suggestions and action plans to implement solutions to address challenges.
It will be very interesting to know why Van Belkum does not want Beetge to inform ward 97 on the following matters:
· What is the status of the Dug out Port and what is the expected impact it will have on specifically Amanzimtoti and secondly the rest of the South Coast? Matters of interest will be influx of people, job creation, property, crime and all the secondary social-economic impacts.
· What are his suggestions on addressing the job seekers, drugs and prostitution challenges in ward 97?
· What did he do to resolve the issue of the environment, how many attempts and letters, to address the challenges regarding the rivers and bird sanctuary and what were the stumbling blocks? There is no law prohibiting him of informing ward 97 with the names and departments that did not respond to his requests. Why was it easy for the Army Saints to mobilise support?
Van Belkum is absolutely ignorant on my political status and makes false statements. To the innuendos regarding ‘intelligence’ and spoilt votes, the following might be food for thought for reasonable people. Based on available statistics, there are 54 million people in South Africa, 34 million legitimate voters, 26 million registered voters, 18 million voted, 12 million for the ANC and four million DA. Absentee voters and spoiled voters total 16 million. What if one of the reasons is that 16 million people are not satisfied with the calibre of politicians of all parties? I am still proud not to have wasted my votes on alleged corrupt politicians or according to my view incompetent representatives of political parties. Shocking to note the small percentage voters choice to govern more than 54 million people.
There is no place for negative thinkers who can only play the blame game.
Following history and current world trends, South Africa’s daily service delivery protest, unprecedented strikes, propaganda by the EFF and all the other obvious signs, the masses that are aggrieved by a great number of politicians will rise and forcefully remove those individuals.
That is why South Africa needs qualified and capable people and councillors who are at the most junior level on the political ladder should be progressive and forward thinkers. Given Beetge’s track record I am of the view he does not qualify.
No politician deserves protection from factual criticism. Van Belkum should spend his time educating himself with political realities and rather confess to his own standing on the ‘political tote’ pre- and post-1994.
