Department condemns acts of violence in Lekwa and Emakhazeni local municipality
14 October 2009
The Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs condemns the unwarranted violence, malicious destruction of property, intimidation of individuals and the disrespect of the rule of law by certain residents of Sakhile in the Lekwa municipality and in Belfast and Machadodorp in the Emakhazeni Local Municipality.
The department would once again like to reiterate government’s commitment to dealing with all issues that affect communities. In all areas where issues have been brought to the attention of government we have put in place processes to deal with these issues, and we will continue to do so. The department will engage in dialogue and work with communities to ensure that issues are resolved.
In Lekwa a recovery plan of action has been developed for the municipality. The recovery plan responds to the findings and recommendations of the investigations conducted in the municipality in terms of section 106(1) (b) of the Local Government Systems Act. The recovery plan is being driven by the acting Municipal Manager, Mr Jabu Sindane, and the municipality and supported by the department.
In response to the report of the investigations that has revealed that officials have been implicated in cases of misrepresentation of information, fraud, corruption and theft the recovery plan has indicated disciplinary action that will be instituted against all officials implicated by charging them and suspending them.
A cost recovery programme against all officials who have received monies irregularly and section 57 managers who were illegally paid bonuses is being instituted, and they will be expected to pay back the money. At the same time the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will lay criminal charges against all officials, and service providers who have defrauded the municipality and all monies will be recovered.
The department is also seeking a legal opinion on those section 57 managers who were employed without the proper qualifications. Investigations will also be conducted around the resignation of the municipal manager and the chief financial officer, if it was done procedurally and whether there are no monies that they owe the municipality.
The department has also appointed an investigation team to investigate the missing R30 million, that went missing in 2004, and other related matters. The department will be expecting the report from the team of investigators by the end of October 2009.
The finance team has began analysing all financial systems, including revenue collection, billing system, credit control systems, updating of the indigent register and supply chain management processes.
The Development Bank of South Africa will assist with funding for the strengthening of the institutional capacity of the municipality with regards to financial systems. Systems and processes will also be introduced to ensure that the municipality is able to function effectively. South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation (SASOL) will also be assisting on issues of capacity development in the municipality. The MEC has also embarked on a process of engaging the private sector to be involved as good corporate citizens to assist municipalities on issues of institutional development.
All contractors who have done poor quality work for the municipality, will be pursued and the money paid to them recovered, including those individuals who certified the work. These contractors will also be blacklisted from doing any further work with government.
The department appeals for calm and peace to return to the area and urges the community to report unruly elements who promote acts of violence and destruction of property to the police. As we deal with the issues we appeal to the community to give us an opportunity to deal with the issues. The department would also like to assure the public that the issues in Lekwa are receiving urgent attention.
The department is also concerned with the acts of violence and destruction of property that have happened in Machadodorp in the Emakhazeni local municipality. We have received a report from the municipality and are engaging with them on the issues that have been raised. Working with all stakeholders we will develop an action plan to deal with the issues raised.
The department appeals for peace and calm to be restored in the area. Every possible step will be taken to investigate, apprehend and ensure that the perpetrators of violence and intimidation are brought to book and face the full might of the law.
Contact:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
E-mail: SKunene@mpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
