Open Letter to the Saldanha Bay Municipality
Dear Mayor and Councilors,
I am writing to express concern about the use of a public space, specifically the building donated to Hopefield Museum, a registered Non-Profit Company (NPC) that appears to be inactive.
As a citizen, I believe it is essential to hold public institutions accountable for their actions, particularly when it comes to the management of public resources.
The Saldanha Bay Municipality has a responsibility to ensure that public spaces are used for the benefit of the community. In this case, the donation of a building to an inactive NPC raises questions about the municipality’s oversight and stewardship.
I request that the municipality provides clarity on the following:
- What measures did the municipality take to ensure Hopefield Museum was operational and serving the public interest?
- What oversight mechanisms are in place to monitor the use of public spaces donated to NPCs?
- What steps will the municipality take to address the apparent inactivity of Hopefield Museum and ensure the public space is used for the benefit of the community?
Relevant sections of acts governing the duties of a municipality in this regard include:
- Section 152(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which states that municipalities must provide democratic and accountable government for local communities.
- Section 4(1) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000), which requires municipalities to ensure that public resources are used in a responsible and accountable manner.
- Section 67(1) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, which states that municipalities must develop and implement policies and by-laws to regulate the use of municipal property.
I look forward to a response from the municipality, addressing these concerns and providing clarity on their role in ensuring the responsible use of public spaces.
Sincerely yours
Hopefield.co.za
