GEORGE NEWS - "I’m not the one turning the new traffic circles into a political issue - Flip de Swardt is the man who’s using it for political gain." George mayor, Mercia Draghoender says she is tired of being the target of malicious attacks in the media since she refused to officiate at the opening last Wednesday of the two new circles in Heather Park.
Protocol demanded that Draghoender, as mayor, should have delivered the opening speech and cut the ribbon, but she delegated these responsibilities to former mayor and DA councillor Flip de Swardt.

Draghoender says it would have been completely dishonest of her to officiate over the proceedings as the ID and the ANC had voted against the R14-million project.
"We were against the project as there were more pressing needs to address. We were outvoted and the project was approved and went ahead. The fact that I am now the mayor does not change my principles and beliefs. It would have been unethical of me to stand there with a happy smile and cut the ribbon, while it is common knowledge that I was against the project from the start."

Draghoender said that she had made no public statement about it and had simply asked De Swardt to stand in for her. "If he had just kept to his brief of opening the circle and refrained from mud slinging, no so-called political storm would have been created. But De Swardt never lets a chance to do some Draghoender bashing pass him by. To me it sounds like sour grapes and someone desperate for publicity - at any cost."

In his speech De Swardt said it was a disgrace that the mayor did not attend the official opening. "I wish I could explain to
her how important these circles are. All the visitors from the north enter the town through this intersection. Secondly the area has become a business hub and this places increasing pressure on traffic flow. The residential areas in the west are also rapidly expanding, while the Japanese soccer team and management are staying at Fancourt in Blanco and will travel this route every day during their stay."

Draghoender says at the time of the project’s consideration the Japanese team’s stay in George was not yet on the cards, but that she understands the other issues very well. "The circles are obviously an improvement and as we speak a fait accompli. They have been built and that is that. I just feel that the money was and still is urgently needed elsewhere and that I would be left with no integrity had I merely been there to cut the ribbon for a quick photo opportunity. As it is, I think there are more than enough local politicians who excel in pulling publicity stunts."

Article and photos: Ilse Schoonraad


DA Councillor Flip de Swardt cuts the ribbon while the DA chairman in George, Daniël Maritz, looks on.