DA wants disclosure on financial turnaround interventions in Standerton
Silosini said residents of Lekwa are still subject to dilapidated roads, inadequate access to drinkable water, insufficient water supply due to low pressure, informal connections, aged water infrastructure and inconsistent electricity supply.
DA councillor in Lekwa Local Municipality, Sithi Silosini, said the past week the Mpumalanga Provincial Treasury (PT) must disclose Lekwa’s financial turnaround interventions.
According to her statement dated January 9, the DA will submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to the PT, requesting the financial entity to disclose all information and records of the work its financial advisors did when they provided support to the municipality in the last two years.
Silosini said the municipality has been placed under mandatory intervention in terms of Section 139 of the Municipal Finance Management Act since 2018. Therefore, the PT, CoGTA and Gert Sibande District Municipality have been tasked with assisting the municipality.
According to Silosini, it is understood that the PT assessed the municipality’s mid-year budget and made amendments to correct credibility, relevance and sustainability.
“Despite Lekwa’s revenue collection and enhancement challenges, it is alleged that they provided training on revenue standard operating procedures, coordinated training on tariff settings and a workshop with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA),” the statement read.
“The financial advisors were also responsible for conducting training on asset management procedures, new reforms, acts and regulations, and reviewing audit improvement plans.
“The municipality’s supply chain management division was also prioritised as they were trained and supported with contract management and contract registers.”
Silosini also said residents of Lekwa are still subject to dilapidated roads, inadequate access to drinkable water, insufficient water supply due to low pressure, informal connections, aged water infrastructure and inconsistent electricity supply.
“It will be appropriate for the provincial government to reveal the turnaround plans they have implemented in this municipality. For years, the municipality has been unable to fulfil its executive obligations in terms of the constitution and legislation.
“The municipality’s negligent behaviour towards the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) has ultimately brought service delivery to a standstill.”
She concluded by saying they believed adopting proper financial practices would help the municipality to restore financial stability.
“Thus, noting the severity of the issues in Lekwa, the DA feels that the council should scrutinise the PT findings and implemented strategies.”
