Hoedspruit councillours spend thousands on illegal trip
Senior Maruleng Municipality politicians are accused of squandering tax payers money.
This after the Mayor Pule Mafologela, Chief Whip Mmuledi Mongadi,Speaker Clara Magoro, Head of the Sport Committee Julia Nyathi and two officials, Lilly Mokonyane and Lilly Thobejane recently spent R70 000 of public funds to attend Sports Development Indaba and the famous Durban July without the approval of the Municipal Manager nor the Chief Financial Officer.
According to the Democratic Alliance R29 837.70 was spend on hotel accommodation, R26 970.24 on flight tickets and f R17 700.00 for registration of officials.
DA Limpopo Provincial Leader, Jacques Smalle said he opened a case at the Public Protector to investigate Maruleng Municipality’s illegal payments for a recent trip to Durban.
Smalel said the DA is in possession of financial documents, ranging from payment requisitions to official purchase orders.
“None of these documents are signed by the municipal manager nor the Chief Financial Officer,” said Smalle.
He said the Sports Development Indaba is meant to be attended by Community Sports Development Agencies, Non Profit Organisations and provincial and municipal sports departments.
However, the Maruleng delegation included more politicians than officials. Out of the six delegates, only two can possibly provide viable reasons for their attendance, while the rest were simply part of the delegation for social reasons.
“It is evident that under the rule of the ANC government, politicians are more than willing to squander public money to quench their social thirst while the poor remain helpless in their homes.The public protector will investigate the involvement of these non-sporting individuals and possibly prescribe remedial actions,” he said.
Smalle said he will also engage with MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Makoma Makhurupetje, to recoup every cent spent by the politicians on the trip.
“This municipality fails to deliver services, citing lack of funds, while politicians are allowed to fly to Durban July events.
The DA will see to it that this matter is attended to, even if it means involving the
national minister. It is high time that action against the abuse of state resources becomes practical,” added Smalle.
Municipal Manager, Refilwe Ramothwala referred the matter to the Mayor, Pule Mafologela who was not available to comment at the time of going to press.
Municipal spokesperson, John Seokoma ‘s cellular phone rang unanswered and he also failed to respond to SMS sent to his cellular phone.
