This after they accused the ANC of submitting an incomplete integrated annual report for 2013/2014.
Earlier, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance, Geoffrey Makhubo had briefed the meeting on the city council’s annual financial report. Makhubo emphasised that the city council had received an unqualified audit report for the second year in a row. The city council achieved a surplus of R4 billion which was redirected to the capital budget to accelerate service delivery. Other highlights of the financial year were that healthy levels of liquidity were maintained, and listed bonds amounting to R663 million were redeemed. In addition, the city council raised more than R2 billion of new funding in loans and bonds during the year.
However, FF Plus chief whip, Johannesburg Metro, Franco de Lange accused the ANC of trying tried to submit an “incomplete financial report”. De Lange said, “The ANC asked the council to approve a document that did not include a report on City Power’s finances. The report on City Power’s finances was a crucial part of the document.”
DA caucus leader Vasco Da Gama concurred with De Lange and said the report of City Power, an important municipal owned entity, was not provided.
“As such, the DA pointed out that the requirements of the Municipal Finance Management Act had not been met for the tabling of the report. A further concern was raised at that stage, that the report had been released to the public earlier in the day by the mayor and the city manager.”
Da Gama said this was in contravention of the standing rules which required that such documents may not be disclosed to third parties until such time as they have been tabled in council. “This had not yet happened,” said Da Gama.
He said when the speaker failed to address these concerns satisfactorily, and insisted that the meeting continue, the DA and other opposition parties left the chamber.
