DA says Thabazimbi intervention is electioneering
DA says the intervention of the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs in Thabazimbi Municipality’s financial management is nothing but electioneering leading to next year’s municipal elections
POLOKWANE – The DA says the intervention of the department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) in Thabazimbi Municipality’s financial management is nothing but electioneering leading to next year’s municipal elections.
DA Limpopo leader, Jacques Smalle says the MEC, Makoma Makhurupetje’s intervention in the troubled municipality is long overdue and was required many years ago.
“The ANC and its government in Limpopo failed to heed to the DA’s previous warning calls, which exposed cracks in Thabazimbi’s affairs.
“The DA believes that this is a publicity stunt to canvas for the ANC for the coming election. It is unacceptable that it takes so long for Limpopo government to acknowledge that the municipality was poorly managed,” says Smalle.
He says the DA urges Makhurupetje to rather engage provincial treasury for a financial expert than a CFO of a department that is just beginning to grasp proper finance management practices.
“The municipality faces insurmountable challenges such as millions of rands in debt owed to Eskom and Magalies Water. The ANC-led government has had ample opportunities to initiate remedial action in order to save the sinking municipality, but was too proud to admit its failures.
“The DA will request a forensic report which commenced on 11August, 2014 and will further write to Coghsta’s portfolio committee chairperson requesting a monthly progress report on the performance of the intervention team to be tabled for debate by members of the house.”
