Councillors accused of illegally issuing permits

THE DA in uMhlathuze has called for urgent action against ANC councillors they allege have been illegally issuing permits during lockdown.

Councillor Louis Fourie said the party recently wrote to the municipality’s Speaker, requesting an urgent probe into the permits that were reportedly drafted using councillors’ letterheads.

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‘While businesses are collapsing and our people are losing jobs because they are deemed as non-essential services, it is an unjust and absolute abuse of power for the ANC to be issuing permits to those who are politically affiliated with the party.’

Fourie said the party’s written complaint was based on the following:

• We are of the view that according to the Municipal Systems and Structures Act no municipal official nor a councillor may issue any certificate authorising and/or permitting anybody to supply essential services as defined in the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No.57 of 2002);
• We are further of the view that a certificate can only be issued by the Commissioner of Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC); and
• Only businesses which provide essential services in terms of the Lockdown Regulation, as amended, issued by the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) may continue their operations during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The DA has given the Speaker 14 days to respond to their allegations.

Commenting on the issue, City communications manager Mdu Ncalane, said the matter was brought to the notice of the Speaker and is receiving the necessary attention.

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