The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni rejects the District Development Model (DDM) with the contempt it deserves.
The ANC in Ekurhuleni, through the MMC for Finance, Ald. Jongizizwe Dlabathi attempted to foist this soviet-era inspired governance model on the residents of the city by naively attempting to push the item through council.
The DDM focuses on the implementation of “One Plan” with “One Budget”, which will bind all municipalities in the province and their Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) to projects and commitments emanating from the provincial government for the next 25-30 years.
The DDM is currently not regulated as per the requirements of co-operative government planning in the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 & the frameworks of the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 13 of 2005 which are central in advancing good governance and strengthening intergovernmental planning and coordination.
Neither the Constitution nor the IGR Framework Act, the Municipal Systems Act nor the MFMA makes provision for the DDM.
The purpose of the IGR is for cooperation and support and not to undermine, control or prescribe to municipalities.
This model has no financial benefit for the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality and its residents.
It will cost the municipality more money – ultimately stealing from the people who are already suffering at the hands of the provincial government.
It will generate even more under-funded mandates from the provincial government for emergency services, motor vehicle licensing, clinics, libraries and human settlements which are already on their knees.
The DA along with several other parties in council sent the ANC and its sinister DDM dreams packing and the item was withdrawn.
The ANC has already collapsed municipalities.
The DA will not stand by and allow the DDM to be used as the TLB that will bury the City of Ekurhuleni.