Lack of public process slammed

THE budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public participation process in Nelson Mandela Bay was like seeing your in-laws after a few years – you kiss them hello but only because your wife is watching, DA caucus leader Retief Odendaal said yesterday.

Criticising the municipality for what he believed was a poor attempt at getting the public to participate in contributing to the budget and IDP, Odendaal said officials did not take it seriously and only conducted the meetings because it was required by law.

At a joint mayoral and budget and treasury committee meeting yesterday, the DA complained about being excluded – along with other opposition parties – from contributing to the budget and IDP. - Rochelle de Kock