TARGET MIDVAAL: Postscript: Is the ANC trying to absorb Midvaal into a metro?
by The Editor
POSTSCRIPT: In response to yesterday’s blog, which argued the SIU investigation into Midvaal is biased a reader sent me a story from a community newspaper in Gauteng. If true, it suggests that the ANC has lodged two proposals with the Demarcations Board, to have Midvaal absorbed into what would be an ANC-run metro. Is this the ANC’s latest attempt to circumvent the result of a democratic election?
TARGET MIDVAAL: Postscript: Is the ANC trying to absorb Midvaal into a metro?
By: Gareth van Onselen
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10 May 2012
I was sent today by a reader the recent article that follows below. It is from the local paper, Vaalweekblad.
It reports that the ANC has lodged with the Demarcations Board two proposals that Midvaal be absorbed into other councils in the province, in order to form a metro. It suggests that, if this would happen, not only would Midvaal cease to exist as an entity but control over the area would revert to the ANC which controls the other municipalities included in the proposal.
I cannot speak to the viability of the proposal, but it certainly suggests yet another attempt on the part of the ANC to use any and all methods either to undermine Midvaal or bring it under the ANC’s control. And further proof that the result of a democratic election is simply unacceptable to the ANC.
Where this happen, you can be sure Midvaal’s record of excellence would also be brought to an end.
Here is the article in question:
Vaalweekblad, 9-11 May 2012, Pg 7
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Hey sounds just like the Nationalist Government – look at the various demarcations for Jeppe – my father was Chairman of the United Party and I went with him to register voters and to canvas support. Amazing how the ANC is reverting /turning to the old regime and apartheid tactics?
Hey Charles, indeed but, actually, it’s nothing new from the ANC. I suspect the impulse underpinning this is exactly the same one that motivates the ANC to pursue its suggestion that the provinces be scrapped. Here is a good SA Today from Helen on the subject: http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=135898&sn=Detail Gareth
Gareth, I always keenly look forward to your articles on Politicsweb, and I particularly admire your data-mining skills, which result in fact-filled and well-reasoned articles such as the one about Midvaal.
Here’s a suggestion for a HUGE task. A while ago, I started a spreadsheet in which I noted instances of corruption I read about in S.A.’s vibrant online press. I had to give it up, partly because I realised that I am not au fait with instances of corruption pre-mid 2011 (which is when I discovered Politicsweb, Daily Maverick, M&G etc) apart from the biggies such as the Arms Deal, so my spreadsheet would always be incomplete. Additionally, I have a job and a household to run, meaning I don’t have the time for such a monumental task.
Any chance you fancy doing something on those lines? I feel you could produce something very factual and hard-hitting, and the sums of money lost to corruption on the bottom line, (which are bound to mount up into tens if not hundreds of billion Rands) would be shocking and might result in sufficient public indignation for something to be done about it.
I feel you are particularly suited to something like this, as you are obviously really good at analysing data and forming it into a coherent narrative.
Meanwhile, keep up the good work. Someone has to do it if S.A. is to have the future its people deserve.
Dear Karin, thank you very much for your comment. You have a very good idea there, although I am afraid I think it would take me several lifetimes to complete. Indeed it is a task most NGO’s would be hesitant to take on, such is its magnitude. Nonetheless, it is important. For me the real test is not so much the initial incident, which may or may not be corrupt, but the consequences that follow. Is it investigated, is someone prosecuted and is corrective action taken? Those questions are rarely answered and it is particularly hard to follow through in the media the outcomes of many reported incidents of corruption. Gareth
SA cannot afford this cANCerous government and its puppet president anymore.
Just look at the cost http://www.everyrandcounts.org/everyrandlost.htm