Full-time Councillors for Endumeni – is it really necessary?

A proposal to make some Endumeni councillors full-time has been deferred to consider the financial implications and to make an application to the MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The proposal was made by the IFP. During the subsequent debate, Anthon Raubenheimer said there would be cost implications, which the council had not budgeted for.
“The proposal does not confirm which councillors will be deemed full-time.
“I suggested we seek guidance from the MEC as we are only a category three Municipality and we must be clear that we follow the guidelines.”
SB Mdluli said he found the proposal ‘puzzling as council had been told at the last meeting that the position of deputy mayor had been scrapped to save costs.’

Speaker Mbatha then said the proposal would be held over and the MEC be approached for clarity.
“Should we make some councillors full time there will be added costs.
“A member of the executive committee currently earns around R350 000 per annum.
Full-time councillors will earn another R285 000 on top of that.”
He also suggested the matter be deferred and this was seconded by Councillor Callie Carelse.
Speaker Mbatha then said the proposal would be held over and the MEC be approached for clarity.
The Council elected the lone EFF Councillor, Nat Khanyile, to chair the Municipal Public Account Committee, MPAC, which plays an oversight role to ensure Council decisions and procedures are lawful and in the best interests of the municipality.
The Council then went into committee and a caucus session where afterwards it was learnt that acting municipal manager, M Silinga, will continue to act until at least the end of September.
Official, Desi Padayachee, was appointed acting corporate services manager.
The post has been vacant following the horrific and mysterious death of Martin Hlangani who died when his Mercedes Benz crashed and caught alight while he was travelling on the Sunset Rest road earlier this year.