Question NW2015 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

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20 July 2017 - NW2015

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

With reference to the fact that (a) a certain councillor, Bhelekazi Mabandla, for Ward 27 in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, has only attended one council meeting since the 2016 Local Government Election, (b) the Buffalo City Council resolved on 28 February 2017 to refer the matter to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape, following a decision that the specified councillor had breached the Code of Conduct for Municipal Councillors, and (c) media reports indicate that the councillor had resigned in August 2016, why has a vacancy not been declared in the specified ward; (2) Did the municipality inform the Independent Electoral Commission of the situation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; and (3) Whether the councillor received any remuneration after 28 February 2017; if so, (a) what is the total amount that was paid to the councillor since 1 March 2017 to date, and (b) on what statutory and/or contractual grounds were the specified payments made?

Reply:

The response below is based on an input provided by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape Province.

1. Councillor Bhelekazi Mabandla last attended council business on 31 August 2016 and on 27 September 2016 she submitted notice of her resignation.

In a letter dated 6 March 2017, from the Speaker of the Municipality to the MEC for local government in the Province, the MEC is informed of the council resolution of 28 February 2017 to remove Councillor Mabandla from municipal council.

On 12 April 2017, the MEC for local government in the province requested Councillor Mabandla for her views on this matter. On 2 May 2017 the councillor, through her attorneys, confirmed that she had resigned from the council on 27 September 2016.

2. No.

On 19 June 2017 the MEC for local government in the province requested the Municipality to declare a vacancy within 14 days of receipt of his letter and to call for by-elections after consulting the Electoral Commission.

3. No remuneration was paid to the councillor after 28 February 2017.

 

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