Question NW391 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Schmidt, Adv H to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 2248 on 13 September 2018, he has been informed of a report submitted to the Emfuleni Local Council, reference O/MM/AA6/Finance/Reports 2018/FS 124-18, for irregular expenditure by the specified municipality for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, which indicates a payment of R43 334 546,27 made by the municipality to a certain law firm (name furnished) for representation of employees to the SA Local Government Bargaining Council held in Benoni; (2) whether he and/or his department intends to recover any of the legal costs; if not, why not; if so, (a) why was the amount not included in the specified reply and (b) what steps has he taken or will he take to recover the irregular expenditure; (3) whether he has been informed that the municipality paid the legal costs of the employees in instances where it was not liable to do so; (4) whether the specified attorneys will continue to deliver legal services to the municipality; if not, what steps does he and his department intend to take to terminate the services of the attorneys; if so, why?NW415E