Questions have been raised as to how a sale in execution of a home whose owner was heavily indebted to the municipality was suddenly cancelled before it could be auctioned.
FC Bester of the Endumeni Residents’ Association told the Courier that the matter had been brought to his attention, and he was ‘very worried’ that due legal process had been interfered with.

“My understanding is that that the matter went through a legal process which culminated in the house being advertised as to be auctioned. The plaintiff was the Endumeni Municipality, yet I am told ‘higher authorities’ moved in to stop the sale. This is very disturbing.

“In the Courier dated August 8, I saw another sale in execution notice in which the plaintiff was again the municipality. Will this also be stopped? Are some people who default on their rates treated differently to us ‘normal’ residents? “Some tough questions need to be answered, and, if need be, heads must roll if there has been any illegal activity going on.”
Mr Bester also wanted to know if all councillors were up to date with their service charges.

“I asked this question during a budget meeting, but I am yet to receive an answer. It is no good if councillors parade around telling people not to have illegal electrical connections and to pay their rates when they are themselves in arrears. Councillors must come clean.”
Asked about the decision to axe acting Municipal Manager Advocate R Brijraj, Mr Bester said this was a positive move. “We hope Council can fill these positions with properly-qualified personnel, and not cadres who are just political pawns. The town is on the brink of collapse because of ‘jobs for pals’.”