Will the ratepayer be coughing up even more?

Madam – Virtually each week the Advertiser reports how Newcastle has been scooping one award after another, being the cleanest and greenest town and most recently the best leader running this town.

How sad to read in the Advertiser of 15 November 2013 that the Council Supply Chain Management has again failed and has been part of a fraudulent excercise with regard to a tender for smart meters and is now facing a multi million Rand lawsuit. If successful, who will cough up the R21-million?- the ratepayer – who is already carrying a heavy burden because of mismanagement and corruptive actions.

At the same time, the bid for the pilot project has been put on hold because the bid did not comply with the tender specifications.

The Association is of the opinion that because of the seriousness of this matter, it should be referred to Cogta and the Auditor General for investigation, including the non compliance with Section 112 (1) (k) of the Municipal Finance and Management Act.

NEWCASTLE RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.