Durban mayor calls for audit on R427 million Covid-19 expenditure
The Covid-19 social relief plan worth R66 million that was launched in KwaNyuswa will also be audited.
ETHEKWINI Municipality mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, has called for the audit on Covid-19 expenses to be fast tracked.
On Tuesday, during the Durban executive council meeting, a report showed that the city had spent R427 million on Covid-19 related expenses between late March and 3 July.
In a statement released by the city, Kaunda said he wants to ensure that all tax-payers money went towards the right causes. The audit is currently underway, according to the city.
ALSO READ: Durban spends R427 million on Covid-19 expenses
The Covid-19 social relief plan worth R66 million that was launched in KwaNyuswa will also be audited.
The plan saw 1000 households in each of the 110 wards having access to staple and nutritious food during the lockdown.
This was in the form of food hampers and vouchers worth R600.
ALSO READ: KZN government releases Covid-19 expenditure report
“Working with our councillors, we identified 1000 households in each ward that are extremely needy. A list with ID numbers was compiled where each beneficiary, after receiving their food hampers and vouchers, signed as evidence that they received what was due to them. This helped us to prevent fraudulent activities,” said Kuanda.
“Yes, we may not have reached everyone because of the number of people who are poor in our communities, but without any fear of contradiction we made a huge dent to poverty alleviation and we are very proud of making a difference. It is therefore of paramount importance that we commence with a thorough auditing. Anyone that would be found by this process to have short-changed the poor, would definitely face the full might of the law.”
ALSO READ: KZN government misappropriates R30-million of Covid-19 fund
In the statement, it said the city allocated close to R600 million to respond to Covid-19 related initiatives.
Kaunda said that it was important to note that the expenditure did not exceed the allocated budget.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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