By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The Democratic Alliance (DA) are gearing up to lay criminal charges on 10 municipal managers from nine municipalities due to consistent failures in financial management and accountability. The managers include; Pumelelo Maxwell Kate (Makana Local Municipality) , Thabiso Klaas (Sunday’s River Valley Local Municipality), Majalefa Matole (Masilonyana Local Municipality), MS Mohale (Mohokare Local Municipality), Olaotse Bojosinvane (Disobotla Local Municipality), Dillo Sereo (Kannaland Local Municipality), MM Mofokeng (Maluti–Phofung Local Municipality), Olehile Allen Losaba (Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality).
The DA parliamentary leader, George Michalakis, has stated that the municipal officials had consistently received disclaimed audit opinions, failed to implement the auditor-general’s recommendations and allowed serious financial failures to continuously unfold and persist.
The DA had stipulated that these officials are repeat offenders based on findings contained in auditor-general reports. It even states that on several occasions municipalities had recorded consecutive years of disclaimer opinions, and some failures adding up to almost a decade.
“The charges will be pursued under section 173(1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, which provides for offences relating to gross negligence, material accounting irregularities and providing false information to the auditor general,” said Michalakis.
“The DA’s plan is clear: appoint competent officials on merit, enforce accountability without exception and professionalise municipal administration through continuous skills development” said Michalakis.
He went on to explain that South Africans deserved municipalities that worked, the protection of public money and the delivery of basic services. He also added that the time for political protection must come to an end and consequences for corruption is imperative.
The DA has also called out the African National Congress (ANC) for constantly recycling corrupt officials and putting them in different state roles. DA national spokesperson, Karabo Khakhu, stated that the party’s objective is to force the corrupt individuals into the criminal justice system so that real accountability may be enforced.