Vryheidsfront Plus Wes-Kaap / Freedom Front Plus Western Cape

06/06/2026

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06/06/2026

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

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VF Plus bly buite stemming met goedkeuring van Langeberg-begroting

Johnny Steenkamp
VF Plus-raadslid: Langeberg-munisipaliteit
5 Junie 2026

Die VF Plus het buite stemming gebly met die 2026/27-begroting van die Langeberg-munisipaliteit omdat dit nie die belange van inwoners in ag neem nie en eerder ‘n geval is van ”melk die gewillige belastingbetaler”.

Die party is nie bereid om sy mandaat van verantwoordelike finansiële bestuur wat van die Langeberg-kiesers ontvang is, te ignoreer nie.

Daar is verskeie redes waarom die VF Plus nie die begroting gesteun het nie. Die belangrikste is omdat die proses van openbare deelname, soos voorgeskryf deur munisipale wetgewing, nie gevolg is nie.

Ongelukkig is die korrekte proses van wyksvergaderings waar die publiek insette kon lewer, nie soos in vorige jare gevolg nie en die munisipale bestuurder en sy administrasie het dit boonop erken.

Die VF Plus is nie tevrede met die proses waar ‘n kort vraelys deur blokleiers voltooi en ingedien is nie. Net tussen 700 en 800 is ingedien terwyl Langeberg ‘n inwonerstal van sowat 130 000 mense en sowat 25 000 huishoudings bedien. Dit kom daarop net dat net 0.03% van alle huishoudings ‘n inset kon lewer op ‘n munisipale begroting van R1.3 miljard.

Dit is duidelik dat besluite oor hoe hierdie begroting bestee word, net deur munisipale amptenare geneem word.

Tydens ‘n werkswinkel wat vooraf plaasgevind het, het die munisipale bestuurder, Danie Lubbe, en die burgemeester, Schalk van Eeden, ‘n onderneming gegee dat alle rolspelers (individue en organisasies), wat insette gelewer het, geantwoord sou word. Dit het nie gerealiseer nie.

Boonop het die meeste inwoners min of geen toegang tot die munisipaliteit se webwerf nie en is ‘n vergadering nie soos voorheen gehou waar inwoners vrae kon vra of insette lewer nie.

Hul regte is dus van hulle ontneem om 'n bydrae te lewer.

Die VF Plus stel voor dat die munisipaliteit die begroting se goedkeuring uitstel vir twee weke sodat ‘n proses van openbare deelname kan plaasvind voordat die munisipale begroting finaal op 30 Junie voorgelê word vir goedkeuring.

Die VF Plus het ook op ‘n vorige raadsvergadering ‘n versoek gerig dat die eiendomswaardasierol van alle eiendomme in Langeberg oorgedoen moet word, maar die versoek is geweier hoewel daar erken is dat die munisipaliteit reeds 2 500 foute geïdentifiseer het.

Geweldig baie klagtes is ontvang van eienaars dat hulle geen korrespondensie hieroor ontvang het nie of dat hul eiendomme nooit besoek is nie.

Hierdie foutiewe waardasies het ‘n wesenlike invloed op die begroting. Hoewel die burgemeester ‘n verlaging van 21% in eiendomstariewe voorgehou het as ‘n groot besparing vir belastingbetalers, is die realiteit dat die verkeerde waardasies daartoe lei dat eiendomme verkeerdelik met 50% en meer in waarde gestyg het, ondanks statistieke wat toon dat eiendomme in die Wes-Kaap ‘n gemiddelde jaarlikse groei van net 5% toon.

Dit het daartoe gelei dat inwoners wat eiendomme besit, ‘n verhoging van 14.8% op eiendomsbelasting gaan betaal.

Die VF Plus dring derhalwe daarop aan dat die waardasieproses oorgedoen word in belang van inwoners met eiendomme en wat belasting betaal.

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Freedom Front Plus abstains from voting on Langeberg budget

Johnny Steenkamp
Freedom Front Plus councillor: Langeberg Local Municipality
5 June 2026

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) abstained from voting on the Langeberg Municipality's 2026/27 budget, because it does not serve residents' interests, but aims to "milk willing taxpayers" instead.

The party is not prepared to ignore the mandate it received from Langeberg voters, namely to ensure responsible financial management.

There are a number of reasons why the Freedom Front Plus cannot endorse the budget. Most notably, a process of public participation, as prescribed by municipal legislation, was not followed.

Unfortunately, the correct procedure of convening ward meetings where the public can provide input was not followed as in previous years, and the Municipal Manager and his administration have acknowledged this.

The Freedom Front Plus is not satisfied with this year's process where a short questionnaire was completed and submitted by block leaders. Only around 800 to 900 of these questionnaires were submitted, while Langeberg serves approximately 130 000 residents and about 25 000 households. This means that only 0,03% of households could provide input on a municipal budget of R1,3 billion.

Clearly, decisions regarding how the budget will be spent are taken solely by municipal officials.

During a prior workshop, the Municipal Manager, Danie Lubbe, and the Mayor, Schalk van Eeden, gave the undertaking that all role players (individuals and organisations) who had submitted input would receive feedback. This did not happen.

In addition, most residents have very little to no access to the Municipality's website, and unlike in the past, there was no meeting where residents could ask questions or provide input.

So, they have been denied their right to make a contribution.

The Freedom Front Plus proposes that the Municipality postpone adopting the budget with two weeks so that a public participation process can be duly followed before the budget is finally tabled for approval on 30 June.

At a previous council meeting, the Freedom Front Plus also requested that the property valuation roll be redone, but this request was denied even though the Municipality acknowledged that it has already identified 2 500 errors.

A large number of complaints have been received from property owners who claim that they did not receive correspondence on the matter or that their properties were never visited.

These incorrect valuations have a material impact on the budget. Although the Mayor presented a 21% reduction in property rates as a major saving for taxpayers, the reality is that incorrect valuations have erroneously increased property values by 50% or more, despite statistics showing that property values in the Western Cape have grown by an average of only 5% per year.

Consequently, property owners are actually facing a 14,8% increase in property rates.

Therefore, the Freedom Front Plus demands that the valuation process be redone for the sake of residents who own properties and loyally pay taxes.

04/06/2026

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Grondwet beskerm wel teen vergrype
(Parlementsdebat: 30ste herdenking van die Grondwet)

Dr. Corné Mulder
VF Plus-leier
4 Junie 2026

Suid-Afrika se Grondwet bied wel beskerming teen vergrype. Die feit dat daar soveel pogings is om dit aan te pas om byvoorbeeld onteiening sonder vergoeding moontlik te maak, dien as bewys hiervan.

Die Grondwet is nie in klip gekap nie. Dit is ‘n lewende dokument en indien dit ten volle na letter en gees toegepas word, sal dit almal akkommodeer en beskerm.

Die ANC is te lank toegelaat om dit te plooi soos dit hom gepas het en dit klink soms asof dié party die Grondwet alleen opgestel het. Dit is nie waar nie. Dit was ‘n proses waaraan baie, ook die VF Plus, deelgeneem het.

So kon ek namens die party ‘n aandeel hê in onder meer artikel 185 oor die kommissie vir die bevordering en beskerming van die regte van kultuur-, godsdiens- en taalgemeenskappe.

Dit is belangrik dat ‘n grondwet deur die mense van ‘n land vir dié mense geskep moet word en aanduidend moet wees van dít wat in mense se harte en gedagtes omgaan.

‘n Grondwet kan wel van tyd tot tyd aangepas word indien daar ‘n geldige behoefte en rede is. Dit is nie finaal nie. Tog blyk dit dat sekere partye dit nie net wil verander nie, maar grootliks wil wegdoen daarmee.

‘n Voorbeeld is die EFF wat private eiendomsreg in geheel wil skrap. Dit terwyl dié party se leier eiendom van meer as R35 miljoen besit. Dit maak dit duidelik dat eiendomsreg sekere mense soms pas en ander kere weer nie.

Suid-Afrika se Grondwet is veronderstel om nasiebou en sosiale kohesie onder almal te bevorder. Die vraag is of dit wel daarin geslaag het om ‘n verenigde nasionale identiteit te skep.

Dit is wel so dat sommige mense die indruk kry dat hul behoeftes en aspirasies ongeag ‘n grondwet geminag word.

Ongelyke behandeling oor sekere gebeure in die verlede kan as voorbeeld genoem word. Daar is tans regsaksies aan die gang teen sekere persone oor beweerde vergrype terwyl ander oor die hoof gesien word. Dit dui op bevooroordeling.

Hieroor het die tussentydse Grondwet dit duidelik gemaak dat daar wedersydse begrip moet wees en nie wraak nie, herstel en nie vergelding nie, ubuntu en nie viktimisering nie.

Is dit wat alle mense in die land ervaar? Indien nie, is dit onregverdig. Die Grondwet is geskryf om almal gelyk en regverdig te behandel.

Daar is sekere ruimtes in die Grondwet wat nog nie ten volle benut en uitgebou is nie. Indien dit wel gebeur, sal dit tot ‘n groot mate meewerk om sosiale kohesie te bevorder en daartoe bydra dat alle gemeenskappe, ook minderhede, geakkomodeer voel.

‘n Nuwe regering kan help om hierdie gees van versoening te laat leef.

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CONSTITUTION DOES PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST ABUSES

Dr Corné Mulder
VF Plus Leader
4 June 2026

(Parliamentary Debate: 30th Anniversary of the Constitution)

South Africa’s Constitution does indeed provide protection against abuses. The fact that there are so many attempts to amend it – for example, to make expropriation without compensation possible – serves as proof.

The Constitution is not set in stone. It is a living document and if it is fully applied in both letter and spirit, it will accommodate and protect everyone.

For too long, the ANC has been allowed to manipulate the Constitution to suit itself – it sometimes sounds as if this party drafted the Constitution all on its own. That is not true. It was an extensive process in which many parties, including the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), participated.

In this way, I had the honour of contributing, on behalf of the party, to, among other things, section 185 on the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities.

It is important for a country’s constitution to be drafted by its people for the people; it should be a reflection of the people’s hearts and minds.

A constitution may indeed be amended from time to time if a valid need and reason exist. It is not final. However, it appears that certain parties do not only wish to amend it, but almost want to do away with it.

An example is the EFF, which wants to scrap private property rights entirely – while the party’s leader owns property worth more than R35 million. Clearly, the notion of property rights suits some people sometimes, but not all the time.

South Africa’s Constitution is supposed to promote nation-building and social cohesion among all people. The question that remains is whether it has succeeded in creating a united national identity.

It is true that some people get the impression that their needs and aspirations are disregarded, in spite of the Constitution.

Unequal treatment regarding certain past events can be cited as an example. There are currently legal actions against certain persons for alleged abuses, while others are overlooked. This demonstrates prejudice.

In this regard, the interim Constitution made it clear that there should be mutual understanding and not revenge, restoration and not retaliation, ubuntu and not victimisation.

Is this what all people in the country experience? If not, it is unfair. The Constitution was drafted with the objective of ensuring equal and fair treatment for all.

There is still some leeway in the Constitution – sections that have not been fully implemented or that have room for improvement. When this is done, it will greatly contribute to promoting social cohesion and ensuring that all communities, including minorities, feel accommodated.

A new administration could help resurrect the spirit of reconciliation.

04/06/2026

Follow the VF Plus Weskaap / VF Plus Western Cape channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCggNuFi8xaMrrzaU2g

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03/06/2026

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MAROKKO STEEK SUID-AFRIKA VERBY: NOG ʼN WAARSKUWING TEEN DE-INDUSTRIALISERING

Jaco Mulder
VF Plus-LPW en hoofwoordvoerder: handel, nywerheid en mededinging
3 Junie 2026

Die VF Plus neem met kommer kennis daarvan dat Marokko volgens die jongste bevindings van die Afrika-Ontwikkelingsbank Suid-Afrika in 2025 verbygesteek het as die grootste geïndustrialiseerde ekonomie in Afrika.

Hoewel Suid-Afrika steeds ’n belangrike nywerheidsmagsentrum op die vasteland is, bevestig hierdie ontwikkeling die voortgesette afname in die land se industriële mededingendheid.

Jarelange onbetroubare elektrisiteitsvoorsiening, staatskorrupsie, beleidsonsekerheid, oorrregulering en swak ekonomiese bestuur het die land se aantrekkingskrag as beleggingsbestemming ernstig geknou en ekonomiese groei gedemp.

Die VF Plus waarsku die minister van handel, nywerheid en mededinging reeds jare lank teen die gevaar van de-industrialisering. Die verlies aan vervaardigingsvermoë beteken minder beleggings, minder werksgeleenthede en toenemende ekonomiese stagnering.

Suid-Afrika benodig dringend ’n politieke koersverandering met ’n regering wat ekonomiese groei op gesonde vryemarkbeginsels bevorder, ondernemersvertroue herstel en beleggings aanmoedig. Die land beskik oor buitengewone potensiaal, maar dit kan slegs ontsluit word deur beleid wat groei, mededingendheid en private inisiatief ondersteun.

Die VF Plus se republikeinse waardes van afwenteling van mag, sterker gemeenskapsekonomieё en vryemark-ekonomiese beginsels bied ’n geloofwaardige pad na stabiliteit, werkskepping en hernieude vertroue in Suid-Afrika se ekonomiese toekoms.

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MOROCCO OVERTAKES SOUTH AFRICA: ANOTHER WARNING AGAINST DEINDUSTRIALISATION

Jaco Mulder
VF Plus MPL and main spokesperson: Trade, Industries and Competition
3 June 2026

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has noted with concern the latest findings by the African Development Bank indicating that Morocco overtook South Africa in 2025 as Africa’s most industrialised economy.

While South Africa remains a significant industrial powerhouse on the continent, this development confirms the country’s continuing decline in industrial competitiveness.

Years of unreliable electricity supply, state corruption, policy uncertainty, overregulation and poor economic governance have severely undermined South Africa’s attractiveness as an investment destination and constrained economic growth.

The Freedom Front Plus has been warning the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition against the dangers of deindustrialisation for years. The loss of manufacturing capacity leads to less investment, fewer employment opportunities and increasing economic stagnation.

South Africa urgently needs to pivot politically to an administration that promotes economic growth through sound free-market principles, restores business confidence and encourages investment. The country possesses exceptional potential, but this can only be unlocked through policies that support growth, competitiveness and private enterprise.

The Freedom Front Plus’s republican values of the devolution of power, stronger community-based economies and free-market economic principles pave the way for stability, job creation and renewed confidence in South Africa’s economic future.

03/06/2026

President moet oop kaarte speel oor Phala Phala sodat die regering van Suid-Afrika in almal se belang prioriteit kan geniet

(Begrotingsposdebat: Presidensie)

Dr. Corné Mulder
VF Plus-leier

President Cyril Ramaphosa moet die Phala Phala-aangeleentheid vinnig en eerlik hanteer en afhandel sodat daar aan beweeg kan word na dít wat in alle landsburgers se belang prioriteit moet geniet: Die behoorlike regering van Suid-Afrika.

Wanneer dit gebeur, moet veral Suid-Afrika se beleid oor buitelandse betrekkinge dringend aandag geniet.

Die maatreëls en riglyne vir meer doeltreffende koördinering van internasionale skakeling is in 2009 goedgekeur en die tyd het aangebreek vir ‘n algehele hersiening en opknapping van dié beleid. Dit moet gedoen word. Die wêreld en die internasionale klimaat het sedert 2009 baie verander.

Suid-Afrika sal sekere aspekte van sy VSA-beleid moet herbedink. Die VSA bly die grootste ekonomie met die sterkste weermag ter wêreld en Suid-Afrika kan hom nie op ‘n vyandige wyse behandel nie.

Dit is wel positief dat albei lande nou op ambassadeursvlak verteenwoordig word en dit is ‘n goeie vertrekpunt om die verhouding met Washington te verbeter wat net tot Suid-Afrika se voordeel kan wees.

Suid-Afrika moet bereid wees om sekere billike toegewings te maak. Laat ons die uitstaande sake wat in die pad van so ‘n ooreenkoms staan – die vyf kritieke voorwaardes van die VSA - aanspreek.

Die voordele wat hieruit kan spruit, kan só ingrypend en positief wees dat dit die huidige druk op die presidensie in ‘n gees van optimisme en verwagtinge vir miljoene Suid-Afrikaners sal laat vervaag.

Die kern van ’n nuwe ooreenkoms behoort ’n pakt oor kritieke minerale te wees. Suid-Afrika kan strategiese toegang bied tot die eksplorasie, mynbou, en veral die suiwering van platinumgroepmetale, mangaan, vanadium, seldsame aardelemente en titanium.

Die VSA kan dit ewenaar met amptelike langtermyn-ooreenkomste, geteikende reserwebou-programme, en finansiering vir verwerkingskapasiteit tot in die finale fase.

'n Johannesburg-gebaseerde kritiese minerale-beurs gekoppel aan Amerikaanse markte kan voorsieningskettings ontsluit en Suid-Afrika as 'n globale verwerkings- en handelskern posisioneer.

Hierdie vennootskap sal ekonomiese geleenthede ontsluit en vir die VSA veilige, strategiese grondstowwe verseker.

Die strategiese voordele sal onmiddellik wees: Die VSA verseker hiermee betroubare voorrade vir die vervaardiging van elektriese voertuie, vliegtuie en gevorderde nywerhede, terwyl Suid-Afrika homself posisioneer as ’n globale verwerkings- en handelskern - in stede van bloot die eindpunt van ’n ander land se waardeketting.

'n Nuwe VSA/SA/Midde-Ooste-spilpunt vir mynboutegnologie, naspeurbare voorsieningskettings en KI-monitering sal aansienlike beleggings lok van Amerikaanse private-ekwiteitsfirmas en soewereine welvaartfondse uit die Golfstate.

Hierdie minerale-ooreenkoms kan Suid-Afrika se BBP met $40 miljard verhoog en sowat 500 000 werksgeleenthede skep regdeur die mynbou-, verwerkings-, energie-, logistieke en dienstesektore.

Dit sal ekonomiese groei tot 5% per jaar dryf en werkloosheid mettertyd halveer. Vir die VSA kan direkte winste uit minerale, gasuitvoere en landbou $75 miljard oorskry, wat die verlaging van Suid-Afrika se algemene tariewe na 10% regverdig en handelsvoorregte onder Agoa beveilig.

Die deur na die Withuis staan oop en die tyd is nou reg om ‘n waterskeidings-ooreenkoms met die Trump-administrasie te sluit wat ongekende voorspoed vir Suid-Afrika en sy mense sal bring. Die alternatief is verdere agteruitgang.

Die VF Plus is bereid om elke tree van hierdie pad met die regering te stap. Dit kán gedoen word!

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PRESIDENT MUST PLAY OPEN CARDS ABOUT PHALA PHALA SO THAT GOVERNING SOUTH AFRICA CAN BE TOP PRIORITY

Dr Corné Mulder
VF Plus Leader

(Budget Vote Debate: Presidency)

President Cyril Ramaphosa should deal with the Phala Phala matter swiftly and honestly so that the focus can shift to what should be the top priority in the interest of all South Africans: properly governing South Africa.

Once this has happened, South Africa’s international relations policy should urgently be addressed.

The country’s measures and guidelines for the effective coordination of international engagements were approved in 2009, and the time is ripe for a comprehensive review and overhaul of this policy. It simply has to happen. The world and the international climate have changed dramatically since 2009.

South Africa will have to rethink certain aspects of its policy towards the United States (US). The US remains the world’s largest economy with the strongest military, and South Africa cannot afford to be hostile towards it.

It is encouraging that both countries are now represented at ambassadorial level, as this provides a good starting point to improve relations with Washington – something that can only be to South Africa’s advantage.

South Africa must be willing to make certain fair concessions. Let us consider the unaddressed issues standing in the way of a mutually beneficial agreement – the five critical conditions set by the US.

The benefits that could flow from this could be so profound and positive that they would overshadow the current pressure on the Presidency by stirring up a spirit of optimism and expectation in millions of South Africans.

At the heart of a new agreement should be a pact on critical minerals. South Africa could offer strategic access to the exploration, mining and especially the refining of platinum group metals, manganese, vanadium, rare earth elements and titanium.

The US could match this with long term offtake commitments, targeted reserve building programmes and financing for processing capacity that goes beyond, to actual throughput.

A Johannesburg-based critical minerals exchange, linked to US commodity markets, could unlock supply chains and position South Africa as a global processing and trading hub.

This partnership would unlock economic opportunities for South Africa while securing reliable, strategic raw materials for the US.

The strategic payoffs would be immediate: the US would secure trusted supplies for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, aircraft and advanced industries, while South Africa would position itself as a global processing and trading hub – not just a mine pit at the end of another country’s value chain.

A US/Africa/Middle East hub for mining technology, supply chain traceability and AI driven monitoring will draw investment from US private equity firms and Gulf sovereign wealth funds.

This minerals agreement could increase South Africa’s GDP by $40 billion and create approximately 500 000 jobs across the mining, processing, energy, logistics and services sectors.

It would drive up economic growth to 5% per year and halve unemployment over time. For the US, direct gains from minerals, gas exports and agriculture could exceed $75 billion, justifying the reduction of South Africa’s general tariff to 10% and guaranteeing trade privileges under AGOA.

With an open door to the White House, the time is now to secure a landmark deal with the Trump administration, one that can deliver prosperity for South Africa and its people. The alternative is perpetual decline.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is willing to walk with government every step of the way. It CAN be done!

03/06/2026

Drakenstein-begroting spreek nie inwoners se werklike behoeftes aan

Stephan Landsberg
VF Plus-raadslid: Drakenstein-plaaslike munisipaliteit
2 Junie 2026

Die VF Plus het nie die Drakenstein-plaaslike munisipaliteit se begroting vir die 2026/27-boekjaar gesteun nie, omdat die geld eenvoudig nie aangewend word vir inwoners se werklike behoeftes nie.

Ten spyte van ’n totale begroting van R4,5 miljard (waarvan R3,9 miljard vir operasionele uitgawes en slegs R569 miljoen vir kapitaalprojekte gaan), word belangrike dienste afgeskeep terwyl fondse aan verkeerde prioriteite bestee word.

Byna geen fondse is beskikbaar vir die dringende vervanging van ou water- en stormwaterpype nie. Slegs R6 miljoen is vir rioollynverbetering begroot en R6 miljoen vir stormwaterherstel – bedrae wat totaal onvoldoende is vir ’n munisipaliteit van hierdie grootte. Net so is slegs R18,3 miljoen vir die seël van paaie begroot, terwyl die paaie in ’n haglike toestand is.

Die VF Plus waarsku reeds meer as vyf jaar dat die munisipaliteit te veel nuwe residensiële ontwikkelings toelaat sonder om die bestaande infrastruktuur op te gradeer. Die ou pype en paaie kan eenvoudig nie die toenemende druk van meer inwoners en verkeer hanteer nie.

Pype breek daagliks en word slegs tydelik reggemaak, maar die probleem keer kort daarna terug. Paaie is in ’n haglike toestand en word net oppervlakkig opgevul, wat hoogstens ’n paar weke hou. Die begroting maak bykans geen voorsiening vir werklike padherstelwerk nie.

Die munisipaliteit spog dat nuwe ontwikkelings groot finansiële voordele sal inbring, maar die VF Plus sien nog geen bewys daarvan nie. In stede daarvan word belastingbetalers swaarder belas terwyl tariewe verder verhoog word.

Belastingbetalers wat getrou betaal, ontvang geen verligting nie, terwyl die deernistoelaag bo die normale vlak verhoog word en skuld maklik afgeskryf word sonder behoorlike invorderingpogings.

Daar bestaan ’n groot skuldlas (lenings) wat eers in 2035 terugbetaal moet word. Ten spyte van herhaalde versoeke kon die VF Plus nog nie die presiese leningsbedrag kry nie. Hierdie gebrek aan deursigtigheid is onaanvaarbaar.

Die DA-beheerde munisipaliteit beweer graag dat Drakenstein een van die bes bestuurde munisipaliteite in die provinsie is. Tog is daar geen duidelike plan om die sakekern te red nie. Winkels verloor kliënte weens mense wat op straat slaap en inwoners pla. Daar is te min wetstoepassings- en verkeersbeamptes om ’n werklike verskil te maak.

Baie geboue word aan buitelanders verhuur wat min bydra tot ’n skoon en veilige omgewing. Intussen groei informele nedersettings vinnig weens ongekontroleerde migrasie, sonder enige sigbare poging van plaaslike of provinsiale regering om dit te bestuur.

Die VF Plus het ook teen die wyksfondstoedelings gestem omdat die proses ondeursigtig en politiek-gemotiveerd is. Een derde (R1,8 miljoen) van die totale beskikbare fondse (R7,9 miljoen) gaan na net een nie-regeringsorganisasie (NGO), terwyl baie ander organisasies wag. Daar is ook verskeie “spook-toedelings” waar geen organisasienaam genoem word nie.

Geen behoorlike behoeftebepaling per wyk is gedoen nie. Dit lyk eerder na ’n “eet-en-drink-partytjie” as na volhoubare projekte wat inwoners se lewe werklik verbeter.

Die VF Plus kan nie ’n begroting steun wat nie die regte prioriteite aanspreek nie. Belastingbetalers verdien deursigtige bestuur, daadwerklike instandhouding van infrastruktuur en ’n veilige, skoon omgewing.

Inwoners het op 4 November die geleentheid om vir die VF Plus te stem om op te staan vir hul behoeftes en belange in die Drakenstein-raad.

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Drakenstein budget fails to address residents’ most pressing needs

Stephan Landsberg
Freedom Front Plus councillor: Drakenstein Local Municipality
2 June 2026

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) did not support the Drakenstein Local Municipality’s budget for the 2026/27 financial year, as the funds are simply not being directed towards addressing residents’ most pressing needs.

Despite a total budget of R4,5 billion (of which R3,9 billion is earmarked for operating expenditure and only R569 million for capital projects), critical services are neglected as money is squandered on misguided priorities.

Almost no funds are set aside for urgently replacing old water and storm water pipelines. Only R6 million has been budgeted for sewer line improvements and R6 million for storm water system repairs — amounts that are totally insufficient for a municipality of this size. Similarly, only R18,3 million has been budgeted for resurfacing roads even though the roads are in a terrible condition.

The Freedom Front Plus has been warning for more than five years that the Municipality is approving too many new residential developments without upgrading existing infrastructure. The old pipes and roads simply cannot accommodate the increasing pressure of more residents and traffic.

Pipes bursting is a daily occurrence usually addressed with temporary repairs, so, the same problem recurs soon after. Roads are in a terrible state and are merely superficially patched, lasting at most a few weeks. The budget makes virtually no provision for proper road repairs.

The Municipality boasts that new developments will offer major financial benefits, but the Freedom Front Plus still has not seen any evidence of this. Instead, the burden on taxpayers keeps mounting as tariffs are increased.

Ratepayers who pay faithfully are offered no relief, while the indigent grant has been increased above the average level and debts are easily written off without targeted efforts to collect the funds.

There is a large debt burden (loans) that needs to be repaid in 2035. Despite repeated requests, the exact loan amount still has not been disclosed to the Freedom Front Plus. This lack of transparency is unacceptable.

The DA-controlled Municipality likes to claim that Drakenstein is one of the best-governed municipalities in the province. However, it lacks a clear turnaround plan for the CBD. Shops are losing customers due to the number of homeless sleeping on the streets and harassing them. There are not enough law enforcement and traffic officers to make a meaningful difference.

Many buildings are being rented out to foreigners who do very little to ensure a clean and safe environment. Meanwhile, informal settlements are growing rapidly due to uncontrolled migration, with neither local nor provincial government doing anything to try and manage the situation.

The Freedom Front Plus, furthermore, voted against the ward fund allocations, because the process is untransparent and politically motivated. One third (R1,8 million) of the total available funds (R7,9 million) is going to just one non-governmental organisation (NGO), while many other organisations are left waiting for funding. There are also several “ghost allocations” where the organisation's name is not specified.

Proper needs assessments for wards were not conducted. In fact, it appears to be more of an "eat and drink" party than sustainable projects aimed at improving residents' lives.

The Freedom Front Plus cannot endorse a budget that fails to address the right priorities. The people deserve transparent governance, proper infrastructure maintenance and a safe, clean living environment.

On 4 November, residents have the opportunity to vote for the Freedom Front Plus, which stands up for their needs and interests in the Drakenstein Council.