Name changes 'may cost R800m'

The costs to change 27 street names in Pretoria may exceed R800m, the Freedom Front Plus said on Friday.

"Most of these costs will have to be covered directly by residents and businesses in Pretoria," said Tshwane metro councillor Conrad Beyers.

He said the figures had been revealed at a workshop for members of the Tshwane metro council's public place and street names committee earlier on Friday.

The figures were given by one of the external advisers of the committee, Johan Pickard who said the name changes would have far-reaching implications.

"Dr Pickard said that the 27 street name changes will affect more than 27 000 businesses and property owners directly.

"In all these cases, title deeds will have to be re-issued. Furthermore, businesses will have to make radical administrative adjustments in order to accommodate the name changes," said Beyers.

New road and land maps would also make up a significant share of the costs, according to Pickard.

"The ANC's irresponsible name changes not only polarises the capital's communities, but will also give the city a serious economic setback," Beyers said.

He said the council's policy regarding name changes stipulated that more than 51% of residents and business in a street should consent to a name change, in the spirit of democracy.

"Business owners and residents should participate in great numbers in the council's public participation meetings to air their complaints and objections," he said, adding that although the ANC would try to "sidestep" the 51% requirement, residents and pressure groups should make it impossible for them.

The total costs of the street name changes included new street name boards, title deed registrations for new addresses, administrative changes, changes to maps, postal and street direction guides for new names, advertisements necessary to give notice of new addresses, global positioning system changes and consultation costs.

The Inkatha Freedom Party also said on Friday that the proposed name changes were not in the interests of Pretoria.

In a statement the IFP said its district executive council contended that street names such as Paul Kruger and Pretorius streets had special historical meaning for a large number of Pretoria residents.

"Apart from the aforementioned the IFP is also of the opinion that taxpayers' money should be used to improve services rather than spending it on the changing of street names."

The party said it would request a meeting with the Speaker of the Tshwane metro council to discuss the proposed name changes.

"If the outcome of this meeting is negative, the IFP will then decide on what further action to take."