Madibeng nightmare continues; R1 billion unaccounted for - AfriForum
The civil rights organisation AfriForum expressed its concern over the continuing chaos at the Madibeng Municipality in Brits. This follows after a worrying report was published by the Auditor-General, Terence Nombembe, and his team during the past week. AfriForum is of the opinion that the chaos is the result of maladministration and financial irregularities committed by municipal officials.
"AfriForum receives complaints on a weekly basis regarding poor service delivery in Madibeng, including illegal electricity and even water cuts," said Ian Cameron, Organiser for AfriForum in the North-West.
The AG's report indicates, inter alia, that the Municipality cannot account for assets to the value of more than R1 billion. Some of the budget items are also suspect. On the asset register, the value of two missing wooden poles is indicated as more than R3 million. According to Cameron such a pole cannot be worth more than R1000 (see here).
To top it all, National Treasury had withdrawn R76 million and is withholding another R35 million, allocated to the Municipality in November 2012. AfriForum says that service delivery in the Madibeng area is already under pressure, and that the community often does not receive services to which they are entitled in terms of the Constitution and municipal legislation.
AfriForum will communicate with the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs in the North-West to ensure that the matter is investigated properly. If this does not happen, AfriForum will meet with its legal team to determine the legal steps available to the Organisation that will compel the Department to act. In terms of Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act, The MEC of Local Government must investigate any allegations of criminal activities and act against such officials.
According to AfriForum it is of the utmost importance that citizens become involved in the public debate in order to hold Government accountable for discharging its duties. "We have to use legislation to ensure that our rights are protected," said Cameron.
AfriForum encourages communities to join its branches in the fight against municipal chaos. SMS the name of your town to 31488 to join. SMSs cost 50c each.
Statement issued by Ian Cameron, North-West Organiser, AfriForum, April 23 2013
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