Parties in fiery debate over ANC plan

By Tarryn Le Chat
5 October 2006

A referendum should be held to test the public’s feeling on the ANC’s intention to change the municipal system of the City of Cape Town which the Democratic Alliance has described as ‘political treason’.

According to the Cape Argus, in a heated session in the provincial legislature almost all political parties aired their views about the controversial plan.

Local Government and MEC for housing, Richard Dyantyi, announced two weeks ago his intention to change the municipal system of the City of Cape Town to a collective system.

Premier of the Western Cape, Ebrahim Rasool, said that the only competent authority on the matter, Richard Dyantyi, had decided on the matter and cabinet had taken note of the decision.

During question time, DA provincial leader Theuns Botha, wanted to know what had happened so suddenly that the ANC had felt it necessary to change the system now.

According to the report, senior ANC officials at Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg had expressed concern over the proposed plan which they claimed was being viewed as a power grab and which had led to division in the City.

Mzwandile Manjiya MPL for the United Independent Front said if the MEC was concerned about the lack of service delivery he must change the other ANC-controlled councils as well.