Municipal Annual Report Adoption Successfully Blocked

Statement by Cllr Eldrige Ruiters – DA Dr Beyers Naude Mayoral Candidate:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus in Dr Beyers Naude Municipality has secured an important victory for transparency and public participation after successfully opposing the adoption of the 2024/25 Annual and Oversight Report at the Council meeting held on 30 June.

The DA objected to the report because the municipality failed to comply with the requirements of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), which provides for public hearings to allow residents an opportunity to engage with Council on the Annual Report.

The Annual and Oversight Report explains how the municipality spent public money, what it achieved during the financial year, and whether it delivered on its promises. It is one of the most important documents Council considers each year.

The DA argued that not engaging in physical public meetings and relying solely on online platforms excluded many residents who do not have access to smartphones, social media, or reliable internet services. Public hearings are essential to ensure every community member has a fair opportunity to participate in local government.

As a direct result of the DA Caucus’s principled stand, the municipality committed to conducting public hearings in all towns across the Dr Beyers Naude Municipality before the report can be considered for adoption. This is a significant victory for accountable governance.

The Annual and Oversight Report should have been adopted two months ago. The delay follows repeated requests by the DA’s Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) representative, Cllr Danie Bezuidenhout, for the required MPAC meetings and public hearings to be convened before the report was presented to Council.

The municipality’s failure to adopt the report within the prescribed timeframe is now expected to result in a negative audit finding.

The DA believes accountability must follow and will therefore submit a motion at the next Council meeting calling for the removal of the ANC MPAC Chairperson, for failing to fulfil the committee’s oversight responsibilities.

The DA remains committed to defending transparent, lawful, and inclusive local government, and will continue to hold the ANC-led administration accountable.

On 4 November residents get the opportunity to go to the ballot box to elect a DA government that will get Dr Beyers Naude Municipality working.