The GOOD party in Drakenstein Municipality has formally resubmitted a proposal to the municipal council’s Speaker, Koos le Roux, calling for all future council meetings to be streamed live on major social media platforms.
The party argues that accross South Africa municipalities are increasingly embracing digital platforms to ensure residents have real-time access to council proceedings that directly impact their lives.
“Yet, in Drakenstein, the opposite remains the norm,” GOOD’s Caucus Whip in Drakenstein, Keagen Gertse, said.
According to Gertse the motion was first introduced last year when the party recommended that all council sittings be broadcast live across major social media platforms and displayed in all municipal buildings hosting administrative offices and public libraries.
“A legal opinion obtained from the South African Local Government Association (Salga) confirms that Drakenstein’s Rules of Order (2014) are outdated and urgently require revision.
“These rules must be brought in line with Act No. 3 of 2021: Local Government: Municipal Structures Amendment Act, particularly Sections 29, 29A, 30, 37, 41, 56, 63, 79, and 81.
“Salga further confirms that new regulations now support the facilitation of virtual and hybrid council meetings, promoting greater inclusivity and transparency,” Gertse said.
He added: “In a time when citizens are demanding greater accountability from their elected officials, Drakenstein’s continued resistance to public access equates to shielding councillors from scrutiny, hiding behind concrete walls and closed doors.
“This is unacceptable. Transparency, accessibility, and accountability are not buzzwords, they are principles of good governance.
“These values must be consistently demonstrated through meaningful action, not selectively invoked for political gain.”
He argues that Drakenstein has the financial capacity to implement livestreaming.
“Ironically, the mayor’s annual budget speech is streamed live to communities, proving both the technical feasibility and public appetite for greater access. Why then are general and special council sittings, along with Section 80 committee meetings, excluded?”
He said should their proposal be denied again, “it will be a clear signal that the Speaker and the current council leadership are more concerned with maintaining control over perception than enabling true transparency”.
Speaker Le Roux has in the meantime clapped back at the party saying council meetings have always been transparent.
“All council meetings, unless dealing with a confidential item, are open to members of the public.
“My office oversees the media and public attendees’ guest lists on a monthly basis and we can confirm that these gallery seats are regularly filled.
“Council agendas are provided to our libraries as well as published on the municipal website, www.drakenstein.gov.za, for public scrutiny.
“Every month, after Council meetings, the Executive Mayor and I conduct radio interviews on Council matters with the two main Drakenstein-based radio stations, Radio KC and Paarl FM,” Le Roux said in a statement.
He added: “My office can categorically state that the democratic principles of accountability, transparency and accessibility are prioritised and adhered to in Drakenstein.
“My office will consider, subject to what the budget implication is, proposed further measures if it can contribute to public participation and further enhance democratic principles.”
