Note to editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr David Masoeu and Afrikaans by Cllr Hardie Viviers.
The undisclosed initiative to distribute food parcels across Mangaung, led by Lawrence Mathae, the Speaker of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM), is very concerning as there has been no communication within the Council on this initiative, prompting a call for transparency and clarity from Speaker Mathae.
The DA questions the credibility of the programme and will engage with the Speaker to address the following queries and shed light on the situation for the benefit of the community:
- Is the Speaker undertaking the distribution on behalf of his political party, the ANC, or as a public representative designated by Mangaung Metro Municipality?
- If mandated by the Council, can the Speaker provide the date of the Council’s resolution endorsing this distribution?
- How is the project funded? If funded by the municipality, the Speaker should specify the budgeted amount, the item, and the programme under which the funds are allocated.
- What criteria are employed to identify needy residents in the community?
- Why have all councillors, including PR and Ward councillors, not been informed of this goodwill project? Needy individuals span across various sectors of the community.
- How are the food parcels procured? Who is the service provider? Details on the tender process, including advertising and awarding, should be disclosed.
- If the Speaker is distributing food parcels privately, why involve MMM officials and utilise municipal resources for the distribution?
It is concerning that, especially during elections, the ANC tends to blur the lines between state and party affairs, exploiting its position to garner support. In a municipality plagued by a lack of service delivery, the DA finds it unacceptable that state resources are being used for political gains.
To address this apparent abuse of power and the conflation of state and party politics, the DA will raise these concerns in the council and seek answers. The party remains committed to upholding the separation of state and party interests, prioritising the well-being of the country over political gains.