Dear Friends, Business, Ratepayers and Civil Society,
Please take a minute to read this message. There has been no better time for action than now and we urge you to stand with us in the fight against corruption and mismanagement.
A few years ago group of concerned ratepayers founded the NMB Ratepayers Association; an association that is growing rapidly in numbers as the situation in the metro deteriorates. The association has held many meetings with all leading role-players in the metro such as the MEC, NMB Executives including the Mayor, all the various Municipal Managers, HOD’s, big business, Business Chamber, SAPS, other political groups such as Cosatu, SACP etc. in an effort to become a unified force to resurrect our dysfunctional metro. This unity now exists and we wish to represent you, the ratepayer of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
The NMBRA have taken time to research and follow the long winded legal routes with expensive high court challenges, many still to be heard, ensuring due processes are observed, always staying within the legal boundaries and operating an open door policy.
The voluntary committee have spent thousands of their own finances, dedicated hundreds of hours, held protest marches, appeared on all TV stations, including Carte Blanche, held radio interviews and held road shows to expose mismanagement, sometimes being threatened for their actions. With the backing of extremely concerned big business, ex councillors, ex mayors, municipal workers and the general public outcry, the NMBRA have decided the time is right for the ratepayers of he Metro to take action to affect control of the finances we provide to the Municipality.
At the NMBRA public meeting, held on 6th August, it was agreed to enter into a dispute against the municipality for many reasons, mainly that of a proven dysfunctional organisation. It is believed that the NMBM currently has 15 days cash reserves where the law requires a minimum of 60 days. This places them in a precarious financial position and offers the Ratepayers powerful leverage. A decision was taken to enter a dispute against the municipality possibly resulting in an opportunity to withhold rate payments. This could result in the municipality being forced into administration. It is hoped that Administration can be avoided and negotiations entered into where the representatives of the NMB Ratepayers will be given the opportunity to effect control over the spend of Ratepayers money, so ending mismanagement & misappropriation of this vital resource, resulting in tangible improvements for the metro.
Briefly, we will deliver these dispute documents to the NMBM to warn them of a legal dispute action resulting in a ”withholding of rates” by ratepayers, followed by a well structured document to the MEC in Bhisho for a 14 day response to dissolve the council. If the MEC fails our demands we will go to Minister Derek Hanekom and national government were after we will start withholding rates.
To make this action possible, we ask that you fill in and sign the attached dispute form, separately applicable to each property you own in the metro.
Each form that you fill in will be sent to the NMB Ratepayers Association for action.
There are no legal implications that can be held against you.
We need thousands of replies by 28th August to be effective, so please take the opportunity to share this email and dispute letter with as many contacts as you can. Kindly distribute to everyone you know. If you are able to join the Ratepayers Association at this time, your membership would be warmly welcomed. Please visit our website for details on becoming a member. (R35pm for individuals).
In appreciation of your action for the future of Port Elizabeth,
Regards
Rates Dispute Letter
Port Elizabethan
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The BIG square field called Signature is where people can physically sign using their mouse – or finger if they have a touchscreen/tablet/smartphone.
The ENTIRE submission form (including the signature) is then sent to the NMB Ratepayers office as a PDF attachment – the same as if the form was faxed or emailed – only online and much quicker.
People signing the form also get a copy of their submission.
Thanks Alan 😉 Hopefully lots of people can sign using that.