eThekwini Mayor must account for R6.45 million in fruitless expenditure

10 March 2016

Just days after the eThekwini Council was forced into cancelling R160 000 for a cruise for 40 of its councillors as a result of the public backlash against the extravagance, the Metro has seemingly authorised R6.45 million in wasteful expenditure, including R3.7 million for concerts by T.I. and Nicki Minaj.

The DA will therefore be requesting the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to summon the eThekwini Mayor, James Nxumalo, to Parliament in terms of National Assembly Rule 138(a) to explain these items, which include:

R2.3 million for the Durban Picnic Day;

R450 000 for a five-member delegation to travel to a tourism dinner and breakfast in Australia; and

R3.7 million for the T.I. and Nicki Minaj concerts.

Apart from explaining the rationale behind this frivolous expenditure, questions need to be asked about whether it aligns with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

These latest expenses pale in comparison to the cruise which amounted to little more than a “free holiday” on public funds. The nine DA councillors in the economic cluster rejected their invitations; the DA will never condone the abuse of public funds by government officials. 

Just last month, Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, called for all governments to exercise fiscal discipline and restraint as South Africa grapples with an increasingly fragile economy. It is incumbent upon all public representatives to put the needs of ordinary citizens, and the poor in particular, at the top of the list. 

KwaZulu-Natal is facing a drought crisis, and the people of eThekwini need their Mayor to spend money on basic areas of service delivery like water, sanitation and housing – not on concerts, cruises and overseas trips. 

The DA will continue to fight for transparency in the management of public funds as well hold government accountable and responsible for the irresponsible use of public money. The eThekwini Mayor must now be held accountable at a National level.

Statement issued by Kevin Mileham MP, DA Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, 11 March 2016