City to review policy on support for funerals of deceased councillors
There has been a consensus to review the policy on money spent on councillors' funerals, given the current economic climate and the impact Covid-19 has had on the city’s finances.
ETHEKWINI Municipality has responded to media reports which noted the R200 000 spent by the City on the funeral of the late councillor Bhekithemba Phungula who died after being gunned down at his Umlazi home last month.
In an executive council (EXCO) meeting on Tuesday, councillors got into a heated discussion when it was revealed what the City spent on the funeral without EXCO approval.
Commenting on the matter in a statement, Councillor Nicole Graham said with funerals currently limited to 50 people, the question was how a 50 person funeral cost R200 000.
READ RELATED: City of Durban bypasses council to approve R200 000 funeral
Responding to the reports, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela, said the council has a long-standing policy to support the bereaved families of all its councillors who have died, regardless of their political affiliation.
“This issue was discussed extensively at our EXCO meeting on Tuesday and there was a consensus to review the policy given the current economic climate and the impact Covid-19 has had on the city’s finances. The city leadership will table a full report at EXCO and Council for further deliberation on the policy,” he said.
Mayisela said he felt it was unfortunate that the Democratic Alliance had decided to ‘grand-stand’ on such a sensitive matter, particularly to the bereaved families.
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