The Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA) stipulates that the council of a municipality must, for each financial year, approve an annual budget for the municipality before the start of the financial year.
The mayor must table the annual budget at a council meeting at least 90 days before the start of a budget year.
It seems there is a growing possibility that it would be impossible to do so this financial year. A series of council meetings have ended in chaos and were adjourned by the Speaker. The latest occurrence was a few days ago. This means that council business could not be concluded and that a budget could not be approved.
If there were a possibility that the budget would not be approved in time, the MFMA stipulates that the provincial executive should dissolve council and appoint an administrator until a newly elected council has been declared elected.
What are the consequences for us, the residents of Mogale City?
If this municipality were to be taken over by an administrator, it would take the power of decision-taking out of the hands of the elected councillors of all the engaged political parties. We have elected our councillors because we believed that they were committed to their constituencies, were aware of their needs and wishes, and were motivated to serve their communities. Could the same be said of an administrator with no ties to Mogale City?
I would like to know what the reasons are for the council meetings being unsuccessful. And I also think all other residents would like to be informed.
I learned from a reliable source that the governing majority in Mogale City is taking the matter to court. What exactly is the plea? Who is the defendant or defendants? Please inform us.
Legal action is expensive, and if matters can be settled out of court, so much the better. Again, I appeal to all relevant participants to find ways to work together for the sake of the people.
