Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Maritha Coetzee.
The DA in the Matlosana Local Municipality is concerned about the municipality’s failure to follow proper procedure when changing street names.
This follows the DA’s question in Council concerning the “secret” name change of Matlosana Mall Road to Dr Martin Khunou Avenue. See question to Council here.
The shocking response received held that the South African Roads Agency (SANRAL) made the decision in changing the name of the street. See the response here.
This is a direct violation of the Public Participation Processes as all proposed names must be submitted to the community for approval through the Ward Committee as well as through advertising, with a 28-day window for community feedback.
Following this, the newly proposed street name should be submitted for approval to the Land Use Management Committee/Naming Committee. After approval, the relevant Municipal Directorates, the applicant, and any other affected parties must be notified.
According to the DA’s correspondence with SANRAL, SANRAL does not participate in the naming of local streets and was not approached or given approval for the street name change. See correspondence here.
This clearly demonstrates the ANC-run municipality’s incompetence and disregard for the rule of law.
The DA in Matlosana will write to the Municipal Manager, Lesego Seametso, the Speaker, Stella Mondlane, and the Mayor, Ntlupheko Tsolela, to overturn the renaming of the road and initiate the process in accordance with the rules and procedures outlined in the South Africa Geographical Names Council Act (No 118 of 1998), which states that once the Council has decided to change the name of a street through the Renaming Committee, it must be submitted to the Provincial Geographical Names Committee, the Council, and finally the relevant Minister.
Only under a DA government is daily respect for the law and the community implemented and practiced.