Tomorrow, the DA will table a motion in the legislature, calling on the MEC of CoGHSTA, Speedy Mashilo, to crack the whip on Thaba Chweu municipal officials who bypassed National Treasury regulations and endorsed the municipality’s participation in the Municipal Wellness Games held in Eastern Cape.
According to a council item, the cash strapped municipality has parted with R593 180 for transport, accommodation and other necessities required for these games. The item also indicates that employees are expected to co-fund an additional amount of R200 000.
It must be noted that with Thaba Chweu under financial distress, the National Treasury states that the municipality’s top brass should ensure that employees do not take part in such activities.
Section 10(5) of the Municipal Cost Containment Regulations indicates that the accounting officer must ensure that social events, team building exercises, year-end functions, sporting events and budget vote dinners are not financed from the municipality or the municipal entity’s budgets or by any suppliers or sponsors.
Thaba Chweu is notorious for contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Several projects that are meant to accelerate service delivery are delayed.The municipality is also amongst those failing to service major its creditors.
Residents deserve to know that the incompetence of the ANC government has led to this financial distress. Thaba Chweu is one of the municipalities tasked with enhancing their revenue. Therefore, splurging on sporting activities is illogical.
The DA would like to categorically state that it is not against the idea of municipal employees taking part in wellness programs. However, municipalities should be in a sound financial position when taking part in such programs, as per Treasury specifications.