Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has thrown down the gauntlet to Mnquma municipal councillors, traditional leaders and senior managers, challenging them to “stand on their own two feet”.
He was addressing them at a strategic planning session at the East London International Convention Centre on Tuesday.
Loyiso Mpalantshane said the four-day strategic planning session was the first since 2016, and was aimed at addressing administrative and political challenges.
Mabuyane told delegates there were “disturbing reports” of independent contractors “selling” water to communities the drought-stricken municipality.
“That is wrong. In fact, it is criminal. We cannot afford to have a situation where a 90-year-old gogo (grandmother) from Msobomvu is deprived of water that is carted to communities because she does not have money to pay the thugs taking advantage of people's situation and making a quick buck,” said Mabuyane.
He said such people deserved to rot in jail.
Independent service providers that are selling water to communities should “be blacklisted so that the municipality will not do business with unethical and unscrupulous people”, Mabuyane said.
The province needed at least R600m for drought relief and some of these funds, when they arrived from national government, would be allocated to Mnquma municipality.
Two years ago, the municipality was rocked by allegations of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), resulting in it being placed under administration.
Mabuyane said the municipality “must function and stand on its own feet” and root out corruption and maladministration.
“We want the municipality to recover the debt from those who owe it for services rendered. Mnquma (municipality) cannot afford to continue writing off debt as bad debt. Those who can pay must pay. The 50% rates amnesty that the municipality has embarked on is a step in the right direction ... but in future we have to prevent this from getting to this point,” added Mabuyane.
He said the millions being wasted on corruption and maladministration could and should be used to improve communities' lives.
Mnquma mayor Sithembiso Ncetezo said the Mnquma delegation was encouraged by Mabuyane's support.
“It reaffirms the belief of the provincial government in the ability of the Mnquma municipality to uplift the lives of its communities,” said Ncetezo.
Mnquma must stand on its own two feet says Mabuyane
Image: Mark Andrews
Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has thrown down the gauntlet to Mnquma municipal councillors, traditional leaders and senior managers, challenging them to “stand on their own two feet”.
He was addressing them at a strategic planning session at the East London International Convention Centre on Tuesday.
Loyiso Mpalantshane said the four-day strategic planning session was the first since 2016, and was aimed at addressing administrative and political challenges.
Mabuyane told delegates there were “disturbing reports” of independent contractors “selling” water to communities the drought-stricken municipality.
“That is wrong. In fact, it is criminal. We cannot afford to have a situation where a 90-year-old gogo (grandmother) from Msobomvu is deprived of water that is carted to communities because she does not have money to pay the thugs taking advantage of people's situation and making a quick buck,” said Mabuyane.
He said such people deserved to rot in jail.
Independent service providers that are selling water to communities should “be blacklisted so that the municipality will not do business with unethical and unscrupulous people”, Mabuyane said.
The province needed at least R600m for drought relief and some of these funds, when they arrived from national government, would be allocated to Mnquma municipality.
Two years ago, the municipality was rocked by allegations of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), resulting in it being placed under administration.
Mabuyane said the municipality “must function and stand on its own feet” and root out corruption and maladministration.
“We want the municipality to recover the debt from those who owe it for services rendered. Mnquma (municipality) cannot afford to continue writing off debt as bad debt. Those who can pay must pay. The 50% rates amnesty that the municipality has embarked on is a step in the right direction ... but in future we have to prevent this from getting to this point,” added Mabuyane.
He said the millions being wasted on corruption and maladministration could and should be used to improve communities' lives.
Mnquma mayor Sithembiso Ncetezo said the Mnquma delegation was encouraged by Mabuyane's support.
“It reaffirms the belief of the provincial government in the ability of the Mnquma municipality to uplift the lives of its communities,” said Ncetezo.
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