Northern Cape Study Tour: report

Meeting report

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE
6 August, 2003
NORTHERN CAPE STUDY TOUR REPORT:NORTHERN CAPE

Chairperson: Mr. Mkhaliphi (ANC)

Documents handed out
Second Draft Report on Study Tour of Municipalities in Northern Cape

Summary
The second draft report on the Study Tour of Municipalities in the Northern Cape remained at a draft stage as it was not tabled. Concerns were raised about the Auditor General's latest report, about occurrences in other municipalities, and the (mis)use of the Mayoral Discretionary Fund.

Minutes
The chairperson related the background of the Study tour to the Northern cape. He expressed disappointment that the standing committee which are their counterparts, was not available to meet with them during the tour taken in May 2003. He explained that although there were critical issues that needed to be dealt with he was not happy with this second draft, and it would not be tabled until Members had had the opportunity to read the second draft.

Discussion
Prince Zulu (ANC) cautioned that as the months passed by, people were beginning to lose hope of the National Council of Provinces delegation visiting.

The Chairperson, Mr. Mkhaliphi (ANC), assured members that given the gravity of the issues at the three municipalities (Tsantsabane, Siyancuma and Ubuntu municipalities), they were keeping in constant contact with them.

Mr P Matthee (NNP) said that the latest report by the Auditor General stated that many municipalities had not submitted their financial statements. He felt that this was a serious situation that warranted the calling in of the Director General of the Department and the MECs to explain what was happening and what they would do to put it right.

The Chairperson added that another report by the Auditor General had included the Premier Office was totally insuffucient. He suggested that the Selected Committee of Finance could be brought in when dealing with these issues. He expressed concern that of the 250 municipalities, the report from the MEC had focused on the three visited municipalities; thus raising questions as to what the situation at the other municipalities.

Mr K Mokoena (ANC) suggested that a slot be arranged so that the report could be debated. He felt that inviting the MECs was not very effective in that they were only briefed about the good things.

The Chairperson felt that the legality of some matters was questionable. He referred to a report where the Mayor had used the Mayoral Discretionary Fund to buy a soccer team kit in Bushbuck Ridge.

Prince Zulu added that from his province there was a district mayor who was using the Mayoral Discretionary Fund for campaigning purposes. Apart from dishing out money at campaigns, she had used coffers from the same Fund to pay for bus transport to these meetings. He explained that when questioned, the district mayor had responded that she was well within her rights. Prince Zulu confirmed that he had copies of the transportation invoices as proof.

The Chairperson said he was surprised that a district mayor could lay claim on such funds because they played a coordinating role. The district mayor could not be coupled to any particular municipality, and therefore there was no need for them to utilise the Mayoral Discretionary Fund. He requested Prince Zulu to forward details of the municipality.

Mr Mokoena strongly felt that if some people benefited from it, all other people ought to benefit from it equally. He warned that they would have a collapse of municipalities and accusations would be made that this Select Committee had failed in their oversight.

Ms J Kgoali (ANC) felt that these issues necessitated speedy debate, particularly with regards to what the Mayoral Discretionary Fund was and what it stood for. She suggested that within the next two weeks they ought to have invited the Director General of Local Government, the Auditor General, and Provinces.

In agreement, the Chairperson confirmed that the programme was being formulated as suggested.

The meeting was adjourned.