Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Tania Halse.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mantsopa Local Municipality has written to the Municipal Manager’s office to ask why the number of outdoor advertising boards is not reflected on the list of approved outdoor advertising.
During the 2022 Mantsopa Strategic Planning session held at a private resort, at a cost of R45 000, the DA requested a complete survey on all outdoor advertising applications and payments for such outdoor advertising.
Exactly one year later, the strategic plan has not yet been tabled. However, the council obtained the list of approved outdoor advertising through a Council Committee Report. There are clear discrepancies between the listed approved outdoor advertising boards and the physical advertising boards displayed in and around the municipality.
According to the Auditor General, the municipality has been lacking for years, with blatant irregularities in the planning department. It is easily observed when new outdoor advertising goes up. Why has the town planning department not cracked down, or collected on these municipal services?
Where the DA governs, internal controls and policies are implemented to ensure good governance, which collects for services rendered. The DA takes pride in its record of clean government, which is not true for Mantsopa.