The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) which councilors need to know, municipalities need to abide by and which “holds the municipal manager and other senior responsible for implementation and outputs” in a nutshell describes its crucial aspects.
In the National Treasury pocketbook, former finance minister Trevor Manuel, in 2004, mentions in the foreword that the above government officials and councilors must “take ownership of this Act… to guarantee democratic decision-making over financial planning, spending and outcomes.” All people will feel the effects of the MFMA henceforth.
Taking on this topic feels like one is breaking the fourth wall.
However, the Constitution with its “Public Participation and Communication” caveat declares: “The more informed people are, the better they will understand what government is trying to do and what the budget and resource limitations are.” Councilors also have to go through the “legalese” to empower themselves in playing an active oversight role by dissecting and assimilating the all-encompassing MFMA.
The best part is that people have access to this information in all its glory on their phones and other Internet devices by going to www.treasury.gov.za/mfma you will be familiar with the MFMA and its rules.
CLLR VERNON PILLAY (DA)
KwaDukuza
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