Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Thabo Nthapo and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Johann Steenkamp.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Letsemeng will write to the Provincial Department of CoGTA to obtain full disclosure on the threatened withholding of the equitable share grant, and will table a motion compelling the administration to present a comprehensive turnaround strategy.
This intervention follows a letter to municipalities that persistently fail to pay Eskom, water boards, SARS, and other third parties, in which the National Treasury threatens to withhold the March tranche of approximately R23 million from Letsemeng Municipality.
The continued failure to pay service providers, in contravention of legislation, reflects ongoing maladministration in this ANC-governed municipality. This is further exacerbated by the absence of a permanently appointed Municipal Manager for over 5 years, which undermines stability and accountability within the institution.
The continued irresponsible malpractice of failing to pay service providers, which is not in line with the law, is a clear indication of incompetence in the ANC-governed municipality, which has not appointed a permanent municipal manager for five years.
The council has not been informed of the letter, which may adversely affect service delivery to the Letsemeng community.
We will seek transparency as the DA in Letsemeng, demanding that the administration table a report outlining a possible turnaround strategy.
Also, we will demand that those responsible for transgressing the law and failing to pay service providers be held accountable for their actions.
The DA will not stand by and watch as services are threatened by the ANC’s failures.