Gauteng municipalities are owed more than R160 billion, but the most damning figure is what officials and councillors themselves owe
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile. Picture: Facebook/Lebogang Maile
It is shocking to hear from Gauteng finance MEC Lebogang Maile that municipalities in the province are owed more than R160 billion.
But, even worse was confirmation from Maile that the rot starts at the top: officials and councillors owe R165.2 million in unpaid municipal bills.
A failure of integrity and example
These numbers speak volumes for the integrity of these councillors and officials. Honest, employed people – especially those in sheltered local government employment – pay for municipal services rendered, surely? Okay, we’re not so sure…
Another thing the figures confirm is the abysmal credit management of most of our cities and towns. If someone doesn’t pay, you cut them off, surely? Okay, we’re not so sure…
ALSO READ: Only 8 out of 15 Gauteng departments record clean audits as irregular expenditure tops R4 billion
The culture of non-payment
It is no wonder that the culture of non-payment – the ugly cousin of the culture of entitlement – is a way of life in South Africa. Someone else will pick up the bill, won’t they?
And while the armchair socialists and communists may welcome this subtle redistribution of wealth from the haves to the have-nots, nothing runs forever without money.
If you could look into the future – which our politicians are spectacularly incapable of doing – then you would realise that the only redistribution which will eventually happen is that of poverty.
NOW READ: Councillors and officials owe Gauteng municipalities R165.7m, Joburg tops the list
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