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Zille must take responsibility for BRT: ANC

Nov 1, 2009 6:18 PM | By Sapa

Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille must take responsibility for the City of Cape Town's financial mismanagement of the Bus Rapid Transit system, the ANC said on Sunday.


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WEstern Cape Premier Helen Zille
WEstern Cape Premier Helen Zille

"We are appalled and find it unacceptable Zille's flimsy excuse of shifting responsibility to the former executive director of the City of Cape Town's Department of Transport, claiming civil servants denied her information," the party said in a statement.

Zille, who is the Premier of the Western Cape, must take responsibility for the escalation of the costs involved in the public transport system from R1.3 billion to R4.1 billion, it said.

"As next year's FIFA World Cup is dependent on among others an efficient transport system in the country, we cannot allow a deliberate derailment of the BRT in Cape Town when similar projects are on course elsewhere in the country."

Zille, in a statement on Sunday, welcomed her role in the project being "put under a very powerful microscope".

"I am happy to be held accountable on the findings of an objective evaluation.

"There is a great deal of documentation on this issue, and a substantial "paper trail"," she said, adding that these would be submitted to relevant enquiries.

"I hope that my role will be investigated fully. That is the best way to establish accountability, not through political point scoring.

"Every single major capital project in South Africa has been subject to massive cost escalation in the past two years," she said, citing Gautrain as an example, the cost of which rose from an initial estimate of R8 million to R25 billion.

Zille attributed the price increases to factors "beyond the control of individuals" such as a hike in the cost of commodities.

"Although cost escalation are a serious problem, they are not the core issue here: the problem is that we were not made aware of

the extent of the cost escalation till a very long time after some managers became aware of them.

"Not having the full facts, made it difficult to take timeous action."

A complete forensic investigation has been conducted, she said, and a disciplinary process had commenced.

"There is a limit to what I can say as the matter is the subject of a disciplinary enquiry. The facts must be evaluated and judged objectively.

"I would prefer to leave things to the conclusion of the forensic audit and the inquiry that will now follow. The ANC has no objective facts and is simply seeking to score political points."


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Comments

Nov 1 2009 06:54:53 PM
donorfatigued
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This is small potatos compared to the Airbus A400 scandal which will be scores of billions over budget!

Perhaps the ANC would like to 'take responsibility' for that massive blunder!
Nov 1 2009 06:59:58 PM
Garrio
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My my. If only the ANC was so decisive about its own screw-ups elsewhere in the Country. But that is the ANC for you. Let us start with the R108 billion wasted buying arms we don't need...
Nov 1 2009 07:03:03 PM
hoodoo
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I see we can not add comment on some stories. Is this the new censorship we can expect from the Times. The heat from the ANC getting to you?

..................................................

Zille has nothing to worry about and yes, this BRT was always going to be more expensive than quoted.

...I have been told that it would delay the project...mainly to the north of Cape Town...where there are not many B&B's and Hotels anyway...besides, they have taxi's in Cape Town..last I heard.

Zille is a thorn in the ANC's plan to loot everything in sight. ANC sour grapes, if you ask me...
Nov 1 2009 07:05:11 PM
Wolverine
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This is nothing compared to the ANC culture of consecutive fu&*k ups, lies, corruption and general mismanagement and ignorance.
This is a poor attempt at diversion ANC!
Nov 1 2009 07:07:00 PM
Eric
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Well said, Hoodoo!!

Go for it, Boss Helen! :)
Nov 1 2009 07:13:53 PM
OBigOneKenobi
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Two can play that game, hey? The DA should expect to get beaten with its own stick when things like this happen, and I think they do. At least they don't cry "racism" as their default response.

The ANC should also try removing the Log Cabin Ski Resort from its own eye before removing the splinter from others. Can you say "Land Bank", "Arms Deal" and "Airbus"?
Nov 1 2009 07:26:03 PM
Baboon with Lipstick
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Wolverine and Donorfatigue your retorts are what I'd expect from anc supporters, Helen is right she must be held to account just like rest of gov officials who should be held to account, and very impressed that this matter is now being investigated and disciplinary is underway, I give the lady credit for that.
Nov 1 2009 07:38:38 PM
Phaedioux
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She has taken responsibility for the BRT price escalation buggerup, she has also openly explained how it came about. We know whose fault it was by Job Description (she purposefully has not named anybody).
The person has been removed from that responsibility and been replacd by somebody more capable and the whole leadup process is being properly investigated.

She hasn't taken any credit for finding out about the problem, but has praised the 'Oversight System' that was in place to highlight these kinds of incidence.

She has taken all the necessary correctional steps and has openly declared that completion dates will have to be moved back and that a partial BRT will operate to satisfy the World Cup requirements.

What are the ANC actually calling for?
Nov 1 2009 07:52:34 PM
Billy Hill
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Dumb Ass Silly Zille will do her damnedest to derail anything the ANC do and all so that she can score some political points. Wreck the world cup, take the confrontational approach she chooses to (which does nothing for the majority of the people), and anything else it takes.

This useless system of opposition politics the constitutional negotiations foisted on us, and practiced by most "western countries" must go.

It's a total ineffective failure and there's nothing democratic about allowing a majority, no matter how small or big it is, to govern for an unwilling minority. In the UK (which by the way has no constitution), the screeching and squawking in the House of Commons is totally ineffectual.

Oh let's not forget the corruption and fraud scandals that hit the British government earlier this year, for those Cheney heads who constantly blah on about the corruption of Africa.
Nov 1 2009 07:58:49 PM
Phaedioux
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Nov 1 2009 07:52:34 PM
Billy Hill
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With people of your attitude, I'm damn glad we've got the constitution that we have.

You sound as if you're itching to change it because you can't stand having your way of thinking questioned?