MEDIA RELEASE: ANC
forces press to leave joint portfolio committee meeting
17 May 2007
ACDP Tshwane Media
Release
17 May 2007 - for immediate release
ANC forces press to leave joint portfolio committee meeting
The ANC objected to the presence of Mariechen Waldner, journalist of
City Press, in the joint meeting of the City Development &
Housing Portfolio Committees held on 16 May 2007. The two
committees had a joint meeting to deliberate on the proposed TSDS
(Tshwane Spatial Development Strategy), which proposes densification of
human settlements in and around the City Centre, and has been cause for
much public interest and concern.
The ACDP and the DA objected to this, as it is against the law to
prohibit the public and media from attending Committee meetings of
Council. This is in accordance with section 20 of the Municipal Systems
Act - Act No. 32 of 2000.
The ACDP's position is that the matter was already released for public
participation, and we can thus not agree that it is reasonable to
exclude the public or media.
We are concerned that this could set a precedent for future meetings of
this nature, and are wondering what the ANC are trying to hide.
Annie Sparg & Richard Dinkelmann
ACDP Councillors: Tshwane Metro
079-498 6971 & 083 263 2664