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DA to assist communities in establishing formal Ratepayers’ Associations

By

Dear Editor

Communities across the Eastern Cape now have a powerful opportunity to take an active role in local governance through the establishment of formal Ratepayers’ Associations. These associations enable residents to directly engage in holding municipal councils accountable, fostering transparency and better service delivery.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape is ready to support communities in setting up these independent bodies, which can play a crucial role in addressing service delivery issues and promoting accountable governance.

In doing so, the DA hopes to promote active citizenry, which we believe could greatly assist in holding wayward councils accountable.

Almost a third of Eastern Cape municipalities are factually bankrupt. The majority of Eastern Cape municipalities also struggle to deliver on their constitutional mandate in providing basic services to their residents.

Although DA Councillors have proven that they are highly effective in holding the ruling party to account by continuously exposing maladministration and corruption as well as fighting for better service delivery, the DA believes that non-political ratepayers associations can also play a pivotal role in providing additional oversight.

In addition, since municipalities have no choice but to recognise formal ratepayer structures, there is an opportunity for these structures to offer much-needed advice and skills to local councils.

Over the last couple of years, there has been a brain drain from the government, especially from our municipalities. It is, therefore, imperative that we draw expertise from civil society to assist in fixing our municipalities.

If you are interested in establishing an independent, formal Ratepayers Association, contact your local DA Councillor or myself directly. Our legally qualified team will assist you by providing a draft constitution and advice on how to establish and run a successful Ratepayers Association.

The DA will continue to fight for you and do everything we can to fix our broken municipalities.

We need all hands on deck. So let’s take our future into our own hands by becoming active citizens again, as the project to rescue South Africa is going to take a collective effort from all of us. Together, we can get the Eastern Cape working again.

Regards

Retief Odendaal MPL
DA Shadow MEC for COGTA

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Port Elizabethan

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