Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Des Erasmus
Published on 2024-02-18 18:35:00
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal is expressing its disapproval of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi for calling for an investigation into the finances of the DA-led uMngeni Municipality during the provincial government lekgotla. The DA spokesperson on Cogta, Martin Meyer, criticized the focus on the municipality’s finances, accusing the African National Congress (ANC) of double standards and highlighting the lack of attention given to the financial mismanagement in ANC-led municipalities such as eThekwini Metro, Msunduzi, and uMgungundlovu.
The DA claimed that the province’s focus on uMngeni Municipality’s finances exposed the ANC’s double standards when it comes to oversight and accountability. The party stated that it was unsurprised by the provincial government’s response to the recent auditor-general’s (AG) report and accused the ANC of weaponizing Cogta instead of focusing on service delivery. Meyer also expressed the party’s willingness to explain the AG’s findings to Sithole-Moloi.
The premier, Dube-Ncube, revealed that the provincial Treasury and Cogta have been instructed to look into the finances of uMngeni Municipality following concerns about its financial situation. The AG report from the uMngeni full council meeting disclosed a large amount of unauthorised expenditure, non-cash items, and a significant deficit. Dube-Ncube expressed serious concerns about the municipality’s financial situation and called for urgent intervention from Treasury MEC Peggy Nkonyeni and Sithole-Moloi.
Despite uMngeni Municipality’s claim to be a model of excellence, the AG’s report painted a negative picture of the financial management and adherence to financial regulations, according to Dube-Ncube. She emphasized that the findings highlighted a complete collapse of the financial systems and posed a significant risk for the small municipality. The executive council has expressed concern about the financial health of some municipalities in the province and has intervened in some municipalities through various legislative measures.
The DA called out the selective attention given to the DA-led municipality’s finances compared to the ANC-led municipalities with significant financial mismanagement. The party criticized the ANC for focusing on weaponizing Cogta instead of prioritizing service delivery. The premier’s call for an investigation into uMngeni Municipality’s finances raises concerns about the province’s oversight and accountability and the need for a fair and unbiased approach towards all municipalities.
Read the original article on Mail & Guardian
