Mboweni is ignorant - Tshwane

2005-08-11 13:28

Pretoria - Ignorance was behind SA Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni's complaints over Pretoria's apparent decline, the Tshwane metropolitan municipality said on Thursday.

The Pretoria News published complaints by Mboweni earlier this week about public parks being used as sports facilities, crime in the city centre, and inefficient officials.

"For Mr Mboweni to insinuate that nothing is being done demonstrates the fact that he unfortunately is ignorant of the basic facts with regard to the progress achieved thus far in developing and preserving the inner city," the council said in a statement.

It rejected assertions that the city was in a bad state and required extraordinary rescue measures.

"This impression is not only incorrect but is misleading and unfortunate as it lacks the necessary facts."

Mboweni was unhappy with soccer being played on the lawns of the Union Buildings and questioned whether enough sports facilities existed.

He was also reportedly concerned about robbery, prostitution and drug dealing in Church Street, on which the SA Reserve Bank is located.

The governor expressed irritation with minibus taxis flouting traffic rules to illegally offload and pick up passengers outside the central bank building.

Municipal management

He called on people in municipal management positions to do their jobs.

Municipal manager Blake Mosley-Lefatola hit back on Thursday, saying closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed outside the Reserve Bank building to monitor taxi behaviour.

"Furthermore, it should be noted that the area in front of the Reserve Bank is one of the few prioritised areas which is being monitored on an ongoing basis by the metro police."

There were two parks in the Sunnyside area catering for residents' leisure, Mosley-Lefatola said. "For the impression to be created that there are no parks or facilities for the recreation of residents is devoid of the truth."

Security at the Union Buildings was the responsibility of the department of public works, not the municipality, he added. Should security be breached, it became a matter for the police.

"To date, however, it is important to note that no request for such assistance has been received from any quarters."

Mosley-Lefatola said a R10bn project was underway to revamp and erect new buildings for government departments in the Tshwane municipal area. The council has in the past four years issued numerous contravention notices and prosecuted property owners for bylaw violations.

Legal action was underway against the owners of 64 "bad buildings" identified since the beginning of the year.

"Council has since January issued 38 contravention notices and obtained 12 court interdicts and/or settlement agreements," the statement read.

Existing bylaws

"These are examples of council enforcing compliance with existing bylaws."

The recent introduction of CCTV cameras in the inner city saw the crime rate dropping by 26% on a monthly average compared to last year, Mosley-Lefatola said.

"Whilst we acknowledge that we can do better, note must be taken of the fact that we are doing something about the matter."

The issues raised by Mboweni were being dealt with on an ongoing basis by the city's administration, he added.

"Any attempt to paint a picture of the city administration not doing anything is far from the truth and misleading."

- SAPA