LIMPOPO – In the letter, the party demands a stop to the claimed rental car bill of R207 400.
Korny Dekker, a DA councillor, released a statement in which it is claimed that this expenditure is being paid despite the municipality being placed under administration.
Read more: COGHSTA places Mogalakwena Municipality under administration
Dekker said that it has come to their attention that the luxury vehicle has been rented since July 2019 as an official mayoral vehicle after her previous vehicle was written off after a car accident.
“With the municipality that is currently under administration in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution of South Africa, the municipality cannot afford to waste more money but should instead rather focus on basic services,” Dekker explained.
“This luxury rental is taking place regardless of new austerity measures being put in place with the cost of official vehicles being capped at R700 000, inclusive of VAT, maintenance plans and security extras. More than a quarter of the total allowed amount has therefore already been spent in less than 6 months,” he continued.
Read more: My hands are clean, says Mogalakwena Mayor Andrina Matsemela
Dekker suggested that Matsemela instead utilise any other municipal vehicle available until the matter is debated in council. By the time Bosveld went to print the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) did not respond on the progress of the administration for the municipality.
• During a council meeting that was held on 18 December, the announcement was made that the municipality had been placed under administration. Section 139 1b of the Constitution of South Africa reads, “when a municipality cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation in terms of the Constitution or legislation, the relevant provincial executive may intervene by taking any appropriate steps to ensure fulfillment of that obligation”.
