The Emfuleni Local Municipality (Evaton, Sebokeng, Vaal Oewer, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging) failed to adopt its adjustment budget for a second time today.
Matters came to a head when the Speaker, Sibongile Soxuza, insisted on a secret ballot.
In response to this, opposition parties decided to walk out of the meeting as taxpayers’ money cannot be managed by means of a secret ballot.
Even with its 44 votes, the ANC was unable to push the budget through.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) made its position very clear: the party cannot support the budget while it lacks transparency and financial compliance.
A financial report tabled to the Council shows that the collection rate has dropped to 76%, expenditure is not timeously recorded on the system and there are approximately R93 million in outstanding invoices, further weakening the Municipality’s financial position.
The Freedom Front Plus is determined to keep fulfilling its oversight role by ensuring that the Municipality’s financial management is taken under the microscope.
The Speaker is now compelled to submit yet another application to the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, as well as the MEC for Finance, Lebogang Maile, to postpone the adoption of the adjustment budget.
A new, realistic budget will have to be tabled to the Council.
Freedom Front Plus Community Safety: The FF Plus emphasizes the importance of community safety initiatives.
Silent
If you believe nobody gives a hoot about you, dare to miss a number of credit card payments and see the love that you will get.
darth 44
The only way to know that small things irritate is when you share a room with a mosquito at night.