The Buffalo City Metro has summoned 150 councillors and officials at a cost of more than R500000 to a four-day lekgotla at the Mpekweni Beach Resort.
The outing comes despite Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan calling for cost-cutting in all municipalities.
Provincial treasury spokeswoman Nosisa Sogayise said: “The national Treasury, on behalf of all three spheres of government, has negotiated improved upfront discounts for flights as well as discounted accommodation rates. Therefore municipalities and municipal entities are requested to utilise these agreements to assist in their respective cost-containment measures, unless they can negotiate lower air travel rates or utilise other service providers that offer lower rates.”
She said the circular was made available on March 30 to allow municipalities to adopt the content during their annual budget processes.
The cost-cutting call was also supported by Salga.
Contacted for comment, Matana said: “I personally just implemented a council resolution. Our concern is that when we hold these workshops in town there are disruptions and the only way to get full concentration is if we take the councillors away.”
Opposition parties, including the DA and COPE, said all the costs could have been minimised had the meeting been held within the metro in the newly renovated East London City Hall.
DA councillor Jan Smit said: “We would have only suffered catering costs and saved so much money.”
COPE’s Khayalandile Twalingca said from last year municipalities had been warned about cutting costs and accused BCM of continuously failing to comply.
“I raised this concern from last year that whatever we do, we need to comply with the Municipal Finance Management Act,” Twalingca said.
Cindi said there were no cheaper alternatives.
“The experience has been that there are lots of disruptions, hence we are taking it away for full concentration, especially because we shall be concluding the budget of the municipality.” — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Opposition anger at metro lekgotla costs
The outing comes despite Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan calling for cost-cutting in all municipalities.
Provincial treasury spokeswoman Nosisa Sogayise said: “The national Treasury, on behalf of all three spheres of government, has negotiated improved upfront discounts for flights as well as discounted accommodation rates. Therefore municipalities and municipal entities are requested to utilise these agreements to assist in their respective cost-containment measures, unless they can negotiate lower air travel rates or utilise other service providers that offer lower rates.”
She said the circular was made available on March 30 to allow municipalities to adopt the content during their annual budget processes.
The cost-cutting call was also supported by Salga.
Contacted for comment, Matana said: “I personally just implemented a council resolution. Our concern is that when we hold these workshops in town there are disruptions and the only way to get full concentration is if we take the councillors away.”
Opposition parties, including the DA and COPE, said all the costs could have been minimised had the meeting been held within the metro in the newly renovated East London City Hall.
DA councillor Jan Smit said: “We would have only suffered catering costs and saved so much money.”
COPE’s Khayalandile Twalingca said from last year municipalities had been warned about cutting costs and accused BCM of continuously failing to comply.
“I raised this concern from last year that whatever we do, we need to comply with the Municipal Finance Management Act,” Twalingca said.
Cindi said there were no cheaper alternatives.
“The experience has been that there are lots of disruptions, hence we are taking it away for full concentration, especially because we shall be concluding the budget of the municipality.” — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos