Let me start off by asking Manny De Freitas to provide me with the proof of the facts published in his letter of April 30, 2014, “Councillor Izak Berg needs to be exposed”. Firstly, I contacted Mrs Van Niekerk and she stated that she did not give you such an affidavit.
I also hope that you can provide me proof of how IRASA was funded during the previous local elections.Your facts about our candidate list is also incorrect, I thought that you being called by the DA the “Shadow Minister of Home Affairs” (only the DA can think of a title like this, which I must add is also misleading because you are no minister sir), would Google facts before you open your mouth.
I was the second candidate on IRASA’s list for Ekurhuleni, because we put candidates randomly on our lists and the candidates who bring in the most votes in a ward will represent IRASA (I thought this is the system the DA is fighting for, that people vote for candidates and not for parties, but it seems to me that you do not know what your own party is standing for).
I can also see desperation in your actions to fight for your seat again in parliament, but you should work for five years Mr. De Freitas, not six months before an election. It is well known that I, Neil Diamond and councillors from the DPRA started IRASA, while we were independent and ratepayer’s councillors in the EMM and I and Neil with members of other political parties were involved in writing the IRASA constitution. This is why our constitution has the best of all worlds.
The reason being not to lose the second vote, but I don’t think you will understand it. I get voted in because of me (Izak Berg), while you are getting voted in on the ticket of the DA; why don’t you put your money where your mouth is and in the next local elections in 2-3 years stand as an independent candidate and let’s see if you can get elected – you won’t.
As for Mr Hennie Smith, he contacted me to be a candidate for IRASA, as he contacted the DA to be a candidate for the DA in Kempton Park while he was a member of COPE. The DA did not accept Mr Smith and he made promises to me of how much support he had in Kempton Park, and I at least gave him the opportunity in standing in every ward in Kempton Park in which he failed miserably.
Mr Smith, like so many candidates, left COPE because he could not get a seat in COPE and then left IRASA because he was not successful in IRASA; you have it in your own party sir. Niekie Van Den Berg left the DA for the FF+ because he felt he will not be able to go back to parliament under the DA because of your election system of candidates. Over 30 of your councillors left the DA in the last month or two, because they are unhappy about the current vision, mission and racism of the DA.
IRASA is not a politically party but a ratepayer’s organisation, and members from political parties can also be members of IRASA. We serve our communities and not political parties. We are not bound by a caucus decision like the DA and other political parties, we have a free and independent vote in council; that sir, is democracy. It amazes me that you spend so much time on an organisation that is not standing in the National Elections and waste so much of your energy on IRASA and me, this is a clear indication that I and IRASA is a threat to the DA.
The following was published on April 21, 2014: “Pretoria, April 21 – The battle to win Gauteng is gaining momentum. And a rumoured coalition between the DA and the EFF may be on the cards.” Why are you and the DA not clearing this up with the voters? Many people will not support the DA if they know that you will form a coalition with the EFF to govern Gauteng. At least we in IRASA are not so power hungry to form coalitions with parties like the EFF.
I therefore give you 14 days in supplying me with the proof of the affidavit(s) and the proof of how IRASA was funded in the 2011 local elections.
Clr Izak Berg, 082 674 5317
