Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for urgent national intervention following the irregular reconstitution of the Buffalo City Municipality’s sponsorship committee, which decides which bodies receive funding from the city for events.
This week, after a contentious debate, the Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCMM) Council approved the reconstitution of the committee. Five councillors, appointed by the mayor, and an unspecified number of officials, appointed by the City Manager, were selected. Crucially, the councillors will have the authority to make the final decisions.
This decision flies in the face of guidance given by National Treasury via a circular dated 31 March 2025, which clearly states that sponsorships must follow a process for budgeting and awarding that excludes councillors from the awarding of contracts.
However, both the City Manager and Legal Services argued this guidance from National Treasury is not mandatory because the circular has not been tabled and formally adopted by Council.
The DA objected to the item. We recorded dissent in Council and refused to be part of any decision leading to an illegality or irregularity and therefore opposed councillors forming part of the sponsorship awarding committee.
We have escalated the matter to DA Buffalo City Constituency Leader, Leander Kruger MPL, to take up with National Treasury and inform it of this open disregard for and contempt of its circular. The DA will also request that any awards made by this committee be monitored for the purpose of reporting to appropriate authorities such as the Auditor-General and National Treasury.
The DA supports event sponsorship where there is a direct and measurable city benefit, but demands a fair and equitable process.
The people of Buffalo City deserve better. They deserve transparent governance, they deserve a competent DA government.
Regards
Cllr Geoff Walton
DA Buffalo City Caucus