Municipality under scrutiny from CoGTA committee
The Portfolio Committee questioned the continued holding of 'virtual' meetings, as well as a controversial loan to uThukela District Municipality.
The issue of holding municipal meetings ‘virtually’ was once again raised before the Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) when Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality (ILM) appeared before the committee on Tuesday (March 17).
Matter dealt with previously but not rectified
This matter had previously been discussed during a meeting held on January 27 in Pietermaritzburg, where the municipality was questioned and committed to changing its approach. However, during the latest session, committee member Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi raised the concern again, asking Mayor Mduduzi Myeza why the municipality has continued to hold meetings ‘virtually’ despite that earlier commitment.
Myeza apologised for the absence of the council speaker and explained that the matter had been discussed with the speaker after the Pietermaritzburg meeting. He acknowledged that the municipality had not acted appropriately by continuing to convene meetings ‘virtually’ and assured the committee that the issue would be rectified.
Controversial loan to uThukela
Another key issue that emerged during the meeting relates to finances. It was revealed that ILM had lent money to uThukela District Municipality during a period when the district was facing serious financial challenges. At the time, uThukela’s accounts had reportedly been attached, leaving the municipality unable to operate effectively or pay its employees.
The committee expressed concern over this decision, questioning how ILM could lend money to uThukela while the latter still owes funds. It was further noted that uThukela has struggled to repay previous debts owed to ILM.
Concerns over repayment guarantees
Mkhaliphi questioned what assurance ILM had that the loan would be repaid, especially given that earlier debts remain unpaid – an issue that had already led to ILM cutting off electricity supply to uThukela earlier this year.
The committee will continue its assessment of Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality.
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