GOOD Speech by Rosa Louw,
GOOD Garden Route District Municipality Councillor
03 September 2026
*Note to editors: This speech was delivered during the George
Municipality Special Council Meeting on 3 September 2026
Honourable Speaker,
The GOOD Party takes note of Item 4.1.
Let me be clear from the outset: The GOOD Party has no issue with the
upgrading of Plattner Boulevard. On the contrary, the upgrading and
maintenance of municipal infrastructure is one of the GOOD Party’s
core priorities. Good roads mean good economics.
Our issue, Speaker, is not with the road. Our issue lies with the manner
in which this item is being presented to the Council.
Speaker, Section 116 of the MFMA deals with the amendment of
contracts. Section 116(3) is very specific:
If a contract is amended, the municipality must give the local community
reasonable notice of the reasons for the amendment and invite the
community to submit representations. Furthermore, the municipal
manager must also inform the National and Provincial Treasury.
This Council is being asked today to approve a public participation
process, yet the report itself falls far short.
As the GOOD Party, we cannot support this item, for the following
reasons:
Firstly, there is no financial transparency. Nowhere in the report is the
original tender value of T/ING/004/2022 mentioned. There is no
indication of the additional costs associated with this amendment. There
is no cost breakdown before the Council. Approving it as it stands is like
signing a blank cheque. We cannot do that.
Secondly, there is no proof of compliance with the law.
Section 116(3)(b) requires proof that the Provincial and National
Treasuries were notified in writing. Those letters, or any evidence
thereof, have not been attached to this report. How, then, can the
Council judge whether the process is legally sound?
Thirdly, there is no complete project information.
As Council members, we have a fiduciary duty. We were elected as
public representatives to safeguard public funds. We therefore call for a
comprehensive project plan that includes, at a minimum, the following:
the original contract value, the proposed additional costs, the total
revised contract value, the reasons for the delay or amendment, and the
project duration and completion date.
Speaker, without this information, we cannot properly perform our
oversight role. We cannot explain to the residents of George what their
tax money is being used for.
Therefore, the GOOD Party proposes:
That Item 4.1 not be approved until a comprehensive report detailing all
financial implications, correspondence with the Treasury, and a detailed
project plan is submitted to the Council.
Furthermore, once the public participation process has concluded, we
will thoroughly evaluate public comments before any final amendment is
approved
We are not merely protecting a road; we are upholding the principle of
transparent and accountable governance.
Thank you, speaker.
Media Enquiries: media@forgood.org.za