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News - Date: 13 April 2007
Following the court ruling on the name change of the town, the Soutpansberg Taxpayers Association issued a press release wherein they appeal to the Makhado Council to ensure a win-win situation for all role players.
The appeal court ruled on March 29 that the name change from Louis Trichardt to Makhado should be reviewed and set aside.
Three options
The taxpayers await the decision of the Municipality on the way forward.
"The municipality has three options, namely to accept the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeal or to restart the process or to apply for leave to appeal to the Constitutional court," states the STPA.
The taxpayers expressed the hope that the Council and the ANC would accept the judgment and extend a hand of friendship and reconciliation to the minority groups in Louis Trichardt.
"If one of the other options are chosen, as the way forward (sic), it will mean that more money of the taxpayers will be wasted that could have been used where it is needed most, for the poorest of the poor. We are one of the poorest provinces in South Africa and cannot afford to waste money on these unproductive issues," say the taxpayers.
Dire consequences
"The process to rename Louis Trichardt to Makhado might have dire consequences for the people of the region if the history of the name change is studied," reads the statement.
On January 25, 2002, the mayor of Louis Trichardt was told by the provincial government that the name of the town should change. The mayor informed the council on January 30 that the name of Louis Trichardt should change before the end of February 2002.
On February 26, concern was raised by the chamber of commerce. By that time, as the court papers state, the municipality had already sent a report to the MEC for Local Government and Housing that the name of the town would be Makhado. There was no possibility that the Councillors could have consulted meaningfully with all stakeholders. It is a sad day when a Mayor declares that "we consult with politicians, not chambers".
A need for honesty and responsibility
"The members of this chamber objected to the name change and expected a fair hearing, but were denied this basic right. We are tired of words; what we need is honesty, integrity and responsibility," states the STPA.
Concerning fruitless expenditure by the council, Mr Herman Smith of the STPA said that it would be their duty to investigate the possibility of recovering the money from people in their personal capacities.
"We will follow it up with measures to prevent taxpayers’ money from being wasted," Smith said.
Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.
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