The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) welcomes the Tshwane Metro Council’s decision to withdraw its notice demanding that the access control gate in Baines Street, at the entrance to the Groenkloof Village residential area, be removed within three days.
The party had previously expressed its strong disapproval of officials’ conduct who, amid Tshwane’s severe service delivery crisis, are focusing their efforts on addressing access control and security measures in residential areas rather than resolving the city’s most pressing problems.
It is unacceptable that while critical municipal assets are not secured, and residents are plagued by daily power and water outages, crumbling infrastructure and crime, the ActionSA/ANC/EFF coalition devotes resources to such actions.
The withdrawal of the notice is a victory for Groenkloof residents, who were determined to challenge the Metro Council’s arbitrary decision through legal action. It demonstrates that communities should not remain silent when their safety and rights are threatened.
The incident, however, once again highlights the underlying governance crisis in Tshwane.
The city is characterised by a general indifference to residents’ needs, ongoing uncertainty regarding security contracts, and an administration that is failing to prioritise basic service delivery.
Tshwane residents deserve a metro administration that ensures their safety, maintains infrastructure and spends ratepayers’ money responsibly.
It is time for the capital to change course.
The Freedom Front Plus is convinced that it will garner significant support on 4 November, and it is determined to establish a coalition of responsible, principled parties able to steer Tshwane towards greater stability, safety and growth.
