IFP delighted with the growing opposition to ANC's plan for Cape Town rule change

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
MR PETER SMITH
IFP SPOKESPERSON FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT


September 26, 2006

Mr Peter Smith, the IFP spokesperson for Local Government, today said: "The IFP is delighted with the growing opposition to the Western Cape provincial government's 'draconian' intention of replacing Cape Town's current mayoral executive system with a collective executive. The TAC's opposition and Sactwu's caution are to be welcomed."

'Even though the IFP has always favoured a collective executive over an executive mayor and ensured that all KwaZulu Natal councils were structured accordingly from the 2000 elections', Smith claimed the ANC's intentions represent 'nothing but a blatant attempt to seize power via the back door.'

In his view, if the ANC were sincere in its motivation, it would apply the collective executive system to the whole of the province rather than Cape Town alone. Smith urged civil society to intensify its opposition to the move: 'its bad for democracy, its bad for Cape Town and it does nothing for the image of the ANC.'


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Peter Smith MP: 084 703 6009
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848