THE Democratic Alliance has voted against an item in the eThekwini Executive Committee to send 54 people on a trip to Brazil and Colombia.
The trip will cost R2 million of Public Transport Network Grant funding. The delegation will consist of two councillors, 33 minibus taxi operators and representatives, fourteen bus operators, and five municipal officials.
Responding to the item, DA KZN Caucus leader, Councillor Nicole Graham said the DA supports the development of the bus rapid transit system in Durban and recognises the urgent need for an improved public transport system, but felt this should not come at a price tag that could be better used for the delivery of services.
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“Benchmarking and international best practice is an important part of improving our own systems, but can easily be learnt without an elaborate overseas trip. National Treasury guidelines specifically request frugality and for municipalities to cut back on overseas trips and needless expenditure,” she said.
Graham said the eThekwini Transport Authority is increasingly embarking on incredibly expensive and aspirational projects that aren’t able to achieve their own targets, and mentioned a case where a few months ago, the City increased the budget for the Moja Cruise taxi incentive programme to a staggering R202 million, money that could be better utilised for service delivery.
“The DA will continue to work for the people of eThekwini by minimizing needless expenditure by the City, to build one South Africa for all,” she said.
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