Some ward committee members in GMM have criminal records
Green confirmed that some had criminal records, and the municipality was investigating these case by case. It will then be taken to the council for a decision.
Community members in the Govan Mbeki Municipality raised concerns about ward committee members that were wrongly elected.
According to several people, they elected some ward committee members because of political influence, without considering the legislation or following the guidelines. A community member said councillors created division in the community.
“Some people serving on the ward got the position because they are friends of councillors.”
A disgruntled resident claimed that among these are people with criminal records who seized an opportunity when the municipality announced the election ward committees.
“Some have committed crimes against us as a community, but now they want to serve us. How?” asked a community member.
The government guidelines on the election of ward committee members and establishment of ward committees stipulate that a ward committee member should:
• Not be in arrears to the municipality for rates and services charges for a period longer than three months unless the individual is registered as indigent and covered by the indigent policy or has made payment arrangements with the municipality.
• Not be placed under curatorship.
• Not to be a rehabilitated insolvent.
• Not be declared of unsound mind.
• Not have a criminal record.
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According to the South African Local Government Association guidelines, ward committee members should strive to serve the community in its best interest.
They have to do it by recommending community-centred municipal programmes, recognising diversity in the ward.
The acting communications manager, Donald Green, confirmed they screened the ward committee members for criminal records and the municipality has since received the report.
Green confirmed some of them had criminal records, and the municipality was investigating these case by case. It will then be taken to the council for decision.
