Question NW3693 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
19 October 2015 - NW3693
Mokause, Ms MO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What steps has he taken to resolve the disputes between Northern Cape municipalities and a certain company (name and details furnished) which has recently forced through the courts, the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality to pay for services that the specified company allegedly failed to deliver in relation to the screening of the memorials and funeral of the late former President of the country, Mr Nelson R Mandela?
Reply:
The following information was provided by the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality:
The John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality entered into an agreement with the service provider (Buhle Buzile Investments) to screen the memorials and funeral of the late former President of the country, Mr Nelson R Mandela, in villages across the three local municipalities in the district (Joe Morolong, Ga-Segonyana and GaMagara) in December 2014. The purpose of the screening of the memorial was to ensure that deprived members of the community in these municipalities also get an opportunity to be part of the proceedings to bid farewell to the former President. The service was delivered as agreed upon.
The initial agreement that each Local Municipality within the District Municipality contributes a pro rata amount towards the cost, did not materialize due to financial constraints, resulting in payment delays. This delay caused the service provider to institute a civil claim against the municipality in the Kimberley High Court (Case No. 1589/2014) and the court ordered the District Municipality to make payment of a specified amount to the service provider. The matter has been tabled before the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Council for a resolution authorising the payment to the service provider. The Council is to consider the matter during its October 2015 sitting.