ANC MAYOR AND MUNICIPAL MANAGER FOR BITOU MUNICIPALITY REFUSE TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION REGARDING SERVICES TO ANOTHER LOCAL AUTHORITY ON PLETT-TAXPAYER ACCOUNT
Bitou Municipality's DA Councillors have tried in vain to obtain relevant information regarding the services of Mr K. Leluma, Political advisor to Mayor Mr L. Mvimbi, rendered at the Ventersdorp Municipality in North West Province.
The Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs, Sicelo Shiceka, requested Mayor Mvimbi in April 2009 to redeploy the Mayor's Political Advisor at the cost of the Bitou Municipality to Ventersdorp in the North West Province.
I have reason to believe that the cost to the taxpayers of Bitou & the Western Cape Government is substantial. There has been no reimbursement to Bitou for these services. I have reason to believe that the cost relating to travelling, accommodation and time spent on this arrangement has been incurred unlawfully and irregularly. Unanswered questions relate to approval of this arrangement and compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) as well as the monetary value involved. The estimated monthly cost is R38000. This is made up of: Car hire R 25 000 + accommodation R9 000 + monthly travel back to Bitou R4 000. Mr Leluma resides in Potchefstroom & commutes daily to Venterdorp.
As the DA Councillors have in the execution of their responsibility, been unable to access the necessary information, I have no option but to refer this matter to the Standing Committee for Local Government for interrogation and investigation. I also call on Minister Anton Bredell, Minister of Local Government & Development Planning, to undertake an investigation into this matter. The possibility obviously exists of referring the matter to the Provincial SCOPA for investigation. Questions will also be submitted to the Provincial Parliament and the National Assembly.
I call on Mayor Mvimbi and the Municipal Manager to provide all the relevant information relating to this matter to our Councillors in Bitou.
Statement issued by Donald Grant, MPL, Democratic Alliance constituency head for Bitou (Plettenberg Bay), Western Cape, March 29 2010
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