Warwick Bruce Chapman

The events of today have provoked angry racial attacks from ANC and COSATU supporters who have tried desperately to portray blacks in the DA as sellouts to a white party. Between now and 2014 they will become more desperate.

To all of those who chose stones or the race card today to attack the most diverse party in South Africa, watch the DA unfold before you as a truly non-racial party which will be lead by any South African regardless of race – because they are the best person to lead us.

Watch us win Gauteng and the Northern Cape in 2014 and watch us push the ANC to the brink in the North West. Watch us win Johannesburg, Tshwane, Port Elizabeth and many other local municipalities in 2016.

In all these provincial and local governments, watch us eradicate corruption, improveme job creation and ramp up service delivery.”

Helen Zille recently said:
“Why are there “No More Mandelas”? Why is it that most current ANC leaders seek to entrench division rather than promote reconciliation? The answer is that this formula suits them well. All they have to do to keep winning elections, is to divide people on the basis of race, and keep them hating each other. It is the easiest recipe in politics for short-term power, and long-term disaster. And, as Nelson Mandela said: “We have to be better than that”. That is the most difficult challenge of politics.”

It is easy to attack using populism and hate and much harder to address the real problems plaguing our society. We need all the support we can get on the orad to 2014.

Note: Please find the questions as tabled at the 31 January 2012 council meeting here. The answers were given verbally, but a listing of the responses is included after the questions below or as a PDF from here.

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The Speaker – eThekwini Council
Councillor Logie Naidoo
City Hall
DURBAN

22 January 2012

Dear Mr Speaker

QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF SECTION 17 OF THE RULES OF ORDER

The Durban Metropolitan Police Service has an extremely important role in the proper functioning of our City. In order for DMPS to fulfil its mandate, it must be fully capacitated and well lead throughout the structures.

In this regard, Captains are extremely important leaders in DMPS area structures and are crucial to the proper functioning of each shift and specialised unit. Questions 4 and 5 relate to Captains in DMPS.

1. How many Metro Police officers are indicated in the organogram under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

2. How many Metro Police officers are presently employed under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

3. How many Captains are indicated in the organogram under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

4. How many Captains are presently employed under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

5. If the answer to question 4. above indicates shortage in the number of Captains presently employed relative to those provided for in the organogram, what is being done by DMPS to expedite the training and promotion of Captains?

6. What is the total of uniformed staff in the organogram, and how many vacancies exist as at 1 November 2011?

7. What is the total of Sergeants/Captain posts in the organogram, and how many vacancies exist as at 1 November 2011?

8. Why does the DMPS use a 12-hour shift?

9. Surely, given the shortage of officers, an 8-hour shift will greatly increase the number of officers available for duty at any one time?

10. Will the DMPS consider moving back to an 8-hour shift system?

11. How many applications to the DPP for new speeding sites have been made since January 2011?

Yours faithfully,

Councillor Warwick Chapman

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Answers

Answers provided 31 January, 2012:

1. How many Metro Police Officers are indicated in the organogram under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

2. How many Metro Police Officers are presently employed under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

3. How many Captains are indicated in the organogram under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

4. How many Captains are presently employed under each of the 5 regional commanders: North, South, Inner West, Outer West, Central (incorporating CBD, Suburbs and Beach)?

5. If the answer to question .4 above indicates shortage in the number of Captains presently employed relative to those provided for in the organogram, what is being done by DMPS to expedite the training and promotion of Captains?

6. What is the total of uniformed staff in the organogram, and how many vacancies exist as at 01 November 2011?

Refer to the Durban Metro Police Organogram. The full DMPS organogram can be obtained by contacting the Senior HR Manager for Metro Police, Fire and Emergency Services
Mr M K Naidoo
E-mail: NaidooMonty@durban.gov.za
Telephone: 031 311 2968
Facsimile: 031 311 2909

Alternatively a hard copy can be obtained from DMPS Human Resources Offices based at the following address:
Human Resources Department
Room 339
2^nd Floor
Metropolitan Police Services Headquarters
16 Archie Gumede Place (formerly known as Old Fort Place)
Durban
4001

7. What is the total of Sergeants/Captain posts in the organogram, and how many vacancies exist as at 01 November 2011?

Refer to the Durban Metro Police organogram (see details above).

8. Why does the DMPS use a 12-hour shift?

In 2004, Metro Police Management decided to move from an 8 hour shift to a 12 hour shift. In order to satisfy the wishes of the Unions, regarding allowances and overtime, it was agreed that an Omnibus would be paid to each employee amounting to 17% of his salary. The agreement was signed by all parties.

In 2007, the Drakensburg agreement was signed between the Unions and Council Management. Part of the agreements was that the Omnibus was not going to be paid. Metro Police Management were not consulted on this issue but had to abide by the decision taken at Drakensberg.

9. Surely, given the shortage of Officers, an 8-hour shift will greatly increase the number of Officers available for duty at any one time?

This is being researched by the Treasury Department.

10. Will the DMPS consider moving back to an 8-hour shift system?

Awaiting response as per question 9 above.

11. How many applications to the DPP for new speeding sites have been made since January 2011?

20 sites.

Hola tweeps – if I am missing one or if the handle has changed, let me (@warwickchapman) know:

@AnnetteLovemore – MP
@BenedictaVanMin – Cllr
@BrenvanderMerwe – Cllr
@ChrisHattinghDA – MPL
@Cilliers_Brink – Cllr
@CllrMack90 – Cllr
@DAJohniDA – Cllr
@DALimpopo (Desiree van der Walt) – MP
@DebbieSchafer – MP
@DKB20 – MP
@Elza_Van_Lingen – MP
@FredNelDA – MPL
@FrontLineGreg – MP
@GrahamGersbach – Cllr
@Grantpascoe – Cllr
@HlangananiGumbi – Cllr
@JFTerblanche – MP/L
@JackBloomDA – MPL
@JanetSemple1 – MPL
@Jo1Coetzee – Cllr
@LanceGreyling – MP
@LindiMazibuko – MP
@MaimaneAM – Cllr
@Makashule – Cllr
@MichaelWatersMP – MP
@NicoleGraham031 – Cllr
@PatriciaDeLille – Cllr
@PietervanDalen – MP
@RowanThiele – Cllr
@ShinnMarian – MP
@SizweMchunu – MPL
@SquireLees – MP
@StevensonBobby – MPL
@StuartPringle1 – Cllr

@alanwinde – MPL / MEC
@andrewseddie – Cllr
@brandontopham – Cllr
@brettherron – Cllr
@clrashor – Cllr
@davebryantct – Cllr
@deanwmacpherson – Cllr
@elmarielinde – Cllr
@gareth_morgan – MP
@geordinhl – MP
@helenzille – MPL / Premier
@henrokruger – Cllr
@ianneilson – Cllr
@ianollis – MP
@ivan2meyer – MPL
@jamesselfe3 – MP
@jsteenhuisen – MP
@kmileham – Cllr
@lanceweyer – Cllr
@mbalimcdust – Cllr
@mda_atwork – Cllr
@mikemo702 – MPL
@rosierau – Cllr
@rickcrouch – Cllr
@bevschafer – Cllr
@timharris – MP
@warwickchapman – Cllr
@wilmotjames – MP

Despite assurances that the planned illegal evictions in Cato Crest had been stopped, late this afternoon residents were surprised when 5 dwellings were destroyed in what would appear to be a politically motivated action.

Today at 3pm the DA’s councillor in Cato Crest Hlanganani Gumbi and DA Spokesperson on Housing Cllr Warwick Chapman met with Mayor James Nxumalo to discuss the illegal threats of evictions in Cato Crest by the ward councillor and ANC Branch Executive Committee in the area. While the meeting was taking place, unknown to the DA or the Mayor, earthmoving machinery demolished 5 dwellings in Cato Crest.

Mayor Nxumalo and Chairperson for Human Settlements Cllr Nigel Gumede both unequivocally stated the evictions must be lawful and alternate accommodation must be provided. Mayor Nxumalo requested that the DA compile a formal complaint and submit it to the Muncipal Manager Mr Sbu Sithole as soon as possible and forward a copy to his office. He assured the DA that an investigation would take place from the City Manager’s office into how it is that a political structure of the ANC could be handling evictions and demolitions in Cato Crest.

The demolitions which were taking while the meeting was being held were undertaken under the supervision of the ward councillor’s assistant who is said by community members to have told them that, “We are coming here to show you that you must move”, and after demolishing the structures said, “Now you can call your DA.”

Cllr Gumbi, took affected residents to Cato Manor SAPS to lay charges relating to the demolition of their structures and destruction of property, however SAPS declined to open any cases. “We were told not to open new cases but instead to meet with the investigating officer Tuesday morning to include these charges in the existing case”, said Cllr Gumbi.

Cllr Gumbi has spend the better part of 48 hours working with community members to stop this illegal action. The SAPS have been extremely reluctant to enforce the law and prevent these illegal evictions. Only after senior MPs and MPLs intervened was any assistance from SAPS forthcoming. At the demolitions which took place today, SAPS did not respond.

The DA reiterates its full support for the eradication of shack settlements and the provision of formal housing in eThekwini. We however require that each step in the process of converting shack settlements into formal housing are undertaken lawfully and with respect for the dignity of those affected as a result. “We condemn the direct involvement of political structures in the work of our City government and cite it as a blatant example of the conflation of party and state”, said Cllr Chapman.

“We call on Mayor Nxumalo and City Manager Sbu Sithole to intervene as a matter of urgency and stop any further illegal action. SAPS also need to ensure they enforce the law without favour.”, said Cllr Gumbi.

MEDIA QUERIES:
Gumbi 076 288 8844
Chapman 083 7797 094

PHOTOS:

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ENDS

This speech was prepared for the eThekwini Council meeting on 27 September, 2011. The motion was passed by the full council with only the Minority Front abstaining.

Why I now favour speed humps for road safety

As ward councillors we receive many requests for speed humps to be installed by residents worried about their safety and the safety of their families.

One of the requests I submitted recently was for a section of Clark Rd and I explained that between Manning and Bulwer, there is a Childrens Home, Student Residence and two Churches. As many ward councillors will know, the typical response goes something like this:

“Current Council Policy precludes the installation of speed humps on higher order roads” and “the accident record on this road is insufficient to meet the policy requirements”.

On the one hand there is merit to not adjusting the engineering of a road unless there is evidence that there are problems with it, the accident record. Instead, we should be able to rely on regular speed enforcement on our roads as a deterrent.

On the other hand, we know and need to accept at least for now, that our Metro Police are incapable are enforcing speeds on our roads. As I showed last year, Metro Police only have 50% of the staff they need, and I have confirmed that they only have 1 speed timing device for the entire Metro. So, as many have asked, must we always wait until people die before we change the engineering?

I remind council of the protests which took place last year in KwaMashu K-Section because residents were fed up with their children being killed and injured on Nkonjane Road while council stood by and threw the rule book at them.

I used to be firmly of the opinion that we must only change the engineering of our roads where there is a known problem shown in accident statistics, despite the efforts of our Metro police to enforce the rules of the road. Of late, however, I have grown weary of trying to inspire improved performance out of the Metro Police.

If we are honest with one another, we will accept that Metro Police are extremely efficient at issuing parking tickets and staging road blocks. However, active enforcement activities like speed enforcement, interception of wreckless drivers and drivers jumping lights or stops has all but ceased.

I am thus now firmly of the opinion that we need to take practical engineering measures to improve the safety of our residential roads on more roads than we have before. This means both more money and a change in policy.

I understand that a policy review has already been called for, and it is thus against this backdrop that I have tabled this Notice of Motion asking our officials to review the World Health Organisation’s “World report on road traffic injury prevention” and consider the recommendations while undertaking our policy review. Further, acknowledging that we need more engineering interventions, I have asked that the budget for traffic calming measures be doubled for the next financial year.

Thus, considering what I have put before you, I humbly ask for your support in this matter which affects each and every one of us.

Cllr Warwick Chapman | 083 7797 094