GOOD Statement by Chad Davids ,
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor
22 January 2025
What could have been a key step in improving the current maintenance system, turned into a damp squib with officials outnumbering members of the public.
Today the Office of the Public Protector South Africa hosted a much-needed Public Participation Hearing on Maintenance and the Systemic issues attached thereto, in SUB COUNCIL 17 at the Lenteguer Civic Centre in Mitchells Plain.
Attended by officials from various sectors dealing with maintenance issues, such as the Department of Justice, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Public Protector.
But due to poor organisation, residents of Mitchells Plain, who are the ones dealing with issues relating to maintenance on a day-to-day basis, didn’t even know it was happening.
An official of the Public Protectors office was asked how the meeting was advertised, to which a very obtuse answer was given which related to the capacity of the meeting venue and that they had to keep the numbers at a manageable level.
The few members of the public that were in attendance put forward various complaints, to which they received responses from stakeholders.
The maintenance system is a mess and the engagement was necessary.
This important issue potentially affects the most vulnerable within our communities, that being women and children.
The office of the DoJ undertook to work on the current system. Other officials shared critical insights on the processes relating to maintenance claims.
But without meaningful public participation the system cannot truly be transformed.
We as the Good party call on the office of the Public Protector and the DOJ to continue to engage with communities regarding maintenance issues and better advertise such engagements to ensure greater public participation in the future.
Media Enquiries:
Chad Davids, GOOD: City of Cape Town Councillor
Cell: 067 129 1323
Email: chadd@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 083 5509875
Email: samantha@forgood.org.za