GOOD Statement by Ricardo Van Der Merwe,
GOOD Saldanha Bay Councillor
At the last Council meeting on 28 October, the GOOD Party raised a fundamental question: Why are ordinary residents cut off from electricity and water over a few hundred rands in arrears, while a Saldanha Bay councillor from the Freedom Front Plus, who also serves as the Mayoral committee member (MMC) for Finance, continues to enjoy uninterrupted services despite owing the municipality money?
Under the councillors’ code of conduct, every elected representative is required to keep their municipal accounts up to date. Yet while families struggling to put food on the table, small business owners facing rising costs, and pensioners living on fixed incomes are punished for late payments, this councillor, who enforces those very same credit-control policies, refuses to settle his own account.
Despite repeated requests and formal notices, he has ignored the code of conduct, hiding behind political alliances to escape accountability. This is not about a few unpaid bills; it is about principle, trust, and integrity. It is about the message we send to every resident: when you fall behind, your lights go off. But when a politically connected councillor does this, nothing happens.
This double standard is unacceptable. Where do we draw the line? When do we say, Enough is enough? Our residents deserve better than a two-tier system of justice, one set of rules for the powerful, and another for everyone else. Leaders must lead by example, not by exception.
The GOOD Party moved to suspend this councillor pending a full investigation. Yet once again, political maneuvering triumphed over transparency and good governance. Once again, the ruling party chose to protect privilege instead of principle, leaving ordinary ratepayers to carry the burden.
We call on the ruling party to stop shielding this councillor.
To the people of Saldanha Bay: know that your concerns matter. Your right to fair treatment and accountability is non-negotiable. GOOD will continue to fight for a council that honours its own code of conduct, upholds one standard of justice for all, and restores the dignity our communities deserve.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za