Parly worried that problematic Free State municipalities don't have functional public accounts committee

CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(COGTA) committee has expressed deep concern that one of the most problematic municipalities in the Free State does not have a functional public accounts committee to scrutinise expenditure.

On Tuesday, Dihlabeng Local Municipality Mayor Tseki Tseki told the committee that councillors dodge scheduled meetings.

READ: Dysfunction of several Free State municipalities takes centre stage in Parliament

It’s part of a litany of problems highlighted by the Auditor-General that’s prompted committee chairperson Zweli Mkhize to question whether the municipality should be placed under administration.

The African National Congress (ANC) majority municipality, which includes the towns of Bethlehem and Clarens, wants to write off  R40 million debt owed to it.

While Speaker Nthabeleng Mofokeng said she wants the recommendation to be reconsidered, the municipal public accounts committee can't quorate itself for meetings.

The council also doesn’t have a permanent Mayoral Committee Member for finance.

Tseki said councillors lack the requisite skills for the job.

"There seems to be, in a way, councillors, with due respect, that are not able to even check the financial reports."

Pushed by Mkhize for an action plan to get the MPAC functional, Tseki passed the buck to Speaker Mofokeng.

"Many times there’s been a blame game, much as there are reports that are coming on a quarterly basis. I will make sure, going forward, the code of conduct of councillors applies to them."

Tseki pledged to make a permanent appointment to the mayoral finance portfolio within two weeks.