THE DA in Limpopo called on the Auditor-General (AG) to launch an investigation into the Makhuduthamaga Municipality’s alleged use of public funds for political gain.
The DA said the AG should investigate the alleged payment of more than R200 000 into an ANC bank account by the municipality, following a newspaper report that R242 193 was transferred into the ANC Sekhukhune region’s bank account on February 6.
“If this is found to be true, it is completely unacceptable and constitutes direct looting of the municipality’s resources by the ANC,” said DA Limpopo leader, Jacques Smalle.
Smalle said public money is only for use by the municipality, not any political parties.
“We are opposed to the act of political parties enriching themselves at the expense of ordinary citizens in this way because it also hinders service delivery,” he said.
“This payment into the ANC account is obviously illegal and must be investigated as soon as possible.
“We also urge the AG to probe this irregular payment as a matter of urgency and to take action against the implicated officials and politicians.
“The guilty ones should be punished and the money paid back to the people of Makhuduthamaga,” said Smalle.
When contacted for comment, municipal spokesperson, Lemson Moropjane, referred all questions to the municipal manager, Eric Moropa, who conceded that money was indeed paid into the account of the ANC, but was, however meant for another account.
Moropa said the money was meant for the councillors’ pension funds and not for party use.
He acknowledged that an error was detected when one of the councillors went to the ANC to enquire about the pension fund, but was told that the money had not been paid out.
“We realised we had committed an error and are in the process of getting the money back from that account. To set the record straight, we have nothing to hide in this matter and we are saying that we are ready for the investigation from the AG if need be,” said Moropa.
