Fruitless and wasteful expenditure, endless and unnecessary imbizos with the public and late night “war room” meetings with municipal managers and directors have raised questions as to the mayor’s competency.
Igor Scheurkogel, Matjhabeng councillor, says that the DA has warned the ANC in council that their budgets are unfunded.
“The cost saving measures they implement are not the cause of irregular and fruitless spending, but rather the public announcement systems used at different venues, daily petrol consumption by the mayor and his entourage, and the daily over-time for traffic and security officers escorting and guarding the mayor,” says Scheurkogel.
It is believed that since the imbizos started in January 2022, they have cost tax payers more than R1 million per month, with the combined estimate of R20 million to date.
“I have submitted questions to council about the costs, but I have not yet received an answer.”
Piet Botha of the DA says Matjhabeng does not adhere to any national treasury regulations unless they can benefit out of it.
He confirms that Scheurkogel has addressed the matter to council.
“He was lambasted by the mayor and ANC councillors, just because he had the audacity to ask about it.
“This is a waste of resources and good money. The mayor tells the same story over and over, singing his own praise,” says Botha.
“Over the past few weeks, many bad things in Matjhabeng have surfaced, including the purchasing of second hand vehicles and that the municipality is not contesting court cases, which has resulted in the Sheriff attaching all service delivery vehicles.
People are also questioning the appointment of the current chief financial officer (CFO) who is accused of corruption.”
Manie Pretorius of the Freedom Front Plus (FF-Plus) says Matjhabeng’s mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, is busy with creative book keeping.
“The annual budgets are unfunded, and the recovery rates are not realistic. Ten out of the 36 wards contribute to 75% of the income. There is a culture of non-payment which has now come back to bite them.”
He says this expenditure should be handed to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) for investigation.
“The imbizos where people hear how well the mayor and his administration are doing, are being used as propaganda for the upcoming elections. The challenges and burning issues are not being addressed.”
At the time of going to press, Tshediso Tlali, official spokesperson for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality did not respond to Vista’s enquiry.
