Council continues to waste money
Council has once again wasted money as nothing which is discussed in their meetings is implemented.
EKURHULENI – After certain council members abused their 3G cards, which they received with work laptops, it was decided that each member would receive a R300 allowance towards internet access from December 13, 2012.
This decision taken by council members in a full council meeting was also published in the Government Gazette.
The EMM, however, did not implement this decision which resulted in the taxpayers of the EMM losing R803 036 in wasteful and fruitless expenditure.
The Alberton RECORD highlighted in their edition of May 11, 2011 how certain councillor’s bills were more than R50 000 wasting ratepayer’s hard earned money.
Taxpayers have paid R803 036 more for council members to waste on the internet, instead of using it towards service delivery.
Independent Councillor, Izak Berg, was the only council member, out of 202 members, who refused this offer and was taking money from his own pocket to put towards internet access.
At the meeting he asked, “Why was this recommendation approved by a full council meeting not implemented?” Council’s response was, “The reason for the non-implementation is unclear. It appears that Information Communication Technology (ICT) was not aware of the resolution, therefore ICT continued with the previous status quo.”
Council also mentioned that it was supposed to be implemented by ICT coordinated by legislature; the former CIO would have been accountable. Berg made it clear, “If a council member retires, law has it that the person will still remain accountable for his/her actions for a further 12 months.”
Council also answered further questions saying, “There is only one councillor who does not utilise the current mobile data service offered by ICT through the service provider. The provisions of section 32, Municipal Finance Management, will be invoked by the department in the event of use over the limit, including claiming directly from the council concerned.
“If there is fruitless and wasteful expenditure already the department will look into putting a process in place, including invoking the provisions of section 32, to deal with the matter. The finance department had committed that the council who did not use the current ICT service offering as offered, will be reimbursed.
“The ICT department will also start implementing the resolution with effect from December 1.”
