Cape Town - The ANC in the Western Cape government has accused the DA of “running scared” after Tuesday’s meeting at the legislature about the City of Cape Town’s controversial MyCiTi route through Wynberg was postponed until further notice.
ANC MPL, Cameron Dugmore, had asked the standing committee on transport and public works to invite the City of Cape Town, the South Road Family Association and the Wynberg Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association as well as representatives of the taxi industry to discuss the proposed Phase 2 MyCiTi routes.
But the meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed.
“It is clear that the DA is running scared from answering questions about their failure to consult communities concerning the proposed routes for Phase 2 of MyCiTi,” said Dugmore.
But DA MPL Lennit Max, chairman of the standing committee, said there was nothing underhand about the committee’s decision. “We are not running away or hiding. We are a transparent party.”
He said the city’s presentation had been added to the committee’s agenda as an additional item. However, when the Road Traffic Infringement Agency withdrew, and Brett Herron of the city’s Transport for Cape Town indicated that he could not attend because of a prior engagement, Max decided to postpone the meeting.
Max said the meeting would go ahead at a later stage. “It is in the best interest of our citizens.”
Dugmore said earlier that he had asked for the city’s presentation because he had concerns about the municipality’s failure to consult with communities “in good faith”.
Dugmore said the meeting’s postponement showed that Herron, “a Patricia de Lille ally”, was trying to undermine Max and the standing committee.
“This is disgraceful. I will submit a complaint to the Speaker tomorrow. The DA expects national ministers to attend standing committees while undermining the ANC’s proposal that the DA in the city accounts to the legislature about such a critical matter.”
But Max shrugged off Dugmore’s concerns.
“We don’t have time to play politics in this committee.
“It’s a matter of public interest and Herron is eager to attend.”
Cape Argus