Bev Turk and the ANC vs Manny de Freitas

Already the tide of dirty politics is washing up at the feet of the Democratic Alliance and its minions such as Manny de Freitas.

De Freitas’ unmitigated and vitriolic attack in the press, “Thanking the ANC for sweeping away rubbish from their (DA) door” (Southern COURIER, April 1) against Beverley Turk, former Johannesburg City Councillor, who served her community and the DA for 13 years, came about because she joined the ANC. Johnny Moody joined the baying over Radio 702, stating that she was about to lose her DA membership because she was accused for using the “K” word by a member of the SA Communist Party!

Astounding, is the fact, despite the dubious allegations against Bev Turk by SACP member Charlie Lewis and the DA Disciplinary Committee’s reluctance (unwillingness) to take the testimony of her own witnesses into account’, that word was spread that there was to be a by-election in her ward before any conclusions were reached by the Disciplinary Committee. A long-term member of the DA, a Justice or the Peace and a Commissioner of Oath was given no credibility by the DA and given no support by her Constituency Leader (Manny de Freitas) or her DA councillor colleagues in the Caucus (Dennis Jane, Vic Penning among others) as to her long-time, honourable standing.

Despite reams of resolved problems, problems in process, upgrading and developments in her ward, the DA spokespersons accused Bev Turk “of not doing her work”, which appears to be standard accusations used by the DA against persons in office, which they wish to replace with someone else (a relative or close friend of a DA Party member?).

The ANC recognise the work and commitment of former DA city councillors and have welcomed them to join hands in making Johannesburg work for the better (three from Tswane, two from Ekurhuleni, and seven from Joburg, together with a number of public reps from national and provincial spheres)

There are certainly DA councillors who have become notorious for their lack of commitment to their wards and the electorate, which their DA ‘masters’ are indulgent about, for they will never question ‘leadership’.

There is a flagrant disregard for the DA constitution, fixing party lists for candidates, breaking rules for selections, party engineering by those members such as the ‘Maestro’, affirmative action and window dressing, nepotism and cronyism. This is the very same political party that claims to ‘be standing on high moral ground’ and will reluctantly recognise excellence amongst its ranks, but will take on ‘unknown and untested’ persons via applications advertised in the press for MP’s or MPL’s appointments!

Implying that a DA councillor of 13 years standing is ‘rubbish’ is certainly below the pale. Despite the DA’s upper echelons’ reputation for ruthlessness, one is capable of being surprised by the duplicity and cunning of these stalwarts of decency and self-appointed custodians of truth. Your future lies in their hands.

Rae Baur