By Kingsol Chabalala MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR)
SEDIBENG.- The Democratic Alliance (DA) is shocked to learn that the ANC-led Emfuleni Local Municipality has paid an official over R190 000 on travel claims.
This was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for COGTA, Lebogang Maile in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
According to MEC Maile, Richard Chaka has claimed R197 138,51 in travel claims since he was employed by the municipality.
Chaka was employed by the Emfuleni Local Municipality on 1 July 2016. He reports to both the Communications Department and the Office of the Executive Mayor. His scope of work includes social media, identifying service delivery issues, and interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
This means that Chaka’s travel claims have also contributed to the total amount of R215 550 063,00 which the municipality has spent on travel claims in the last five financial years.
It is also worrying that an official was paid large sums of money for travel claims by a municipality that is facing serious cash flow problems.
Chaka only has a matric certificate and earns R603 620, 52 annually.
The DA has been reliably informed that he was appointed without Emfuleni Municipality following proper procedures.
It has now become a norm where the ANC governs to offer jobs to cadres who do not qualify for the positions.
The DA calls on MEC Maile to investigate the travel claims submitted by Chaka. Should he be found guilty of fraud, he must pay back the money and be arrested.
We will also table questions in the GPL to ascertain whether Chaka’s position was advertised and how many candidates applied for the job as well as the qualification requirements for the position.
