Game of (Umdoni) Thrones
When questioned, the deputy mayor claimed that they were transporting DA supporters.
FINANCE meetings are not always boring affairs at Umdoni Municipality.
Proceedings livened up considerably when DA councillor Eddie Baptie asked why R46 000 was spent to bus in residents from Roseville and Khuphuka to register to vote on August 3.
“It was not openly discussed,” said Cllr Baptie, adding that he discovered it in a report.
“The GM (finance) – who obviously knows the origin of the expenditure – refrained from answering my question,” said Cllr Baptie.
Instead, he took to providing a written report to EXCO, identifying the person responsible for requisitioning the expenditure – the report was never tabled according to Cllr Baptie.
At the time, the mayor claimed not to know about it and three different verbal versions were offered by the municipal manager, the mayor and deputy mayor at the EXCO meeting, – Cllr Baptie
The wards in which it is alleged these taxis were used also changed without explanation. The use of municipal finances to transport voters to register was, according to Cllr Baptie, never contemplated, disclosed, offered publicly, discussed in council or at the Party Liaison Committee.
It is also fact that two specific voting stations were targeted. Both are stations at which the ANC need to grow their support,
What would seemingly be the abuse of public resources for political gain, Cllr Baptie explains: “Is not new to Umdoni. Statements made by the municipal manager, mayor and deputy mayor are evidence that they knew what was being done and that they chose not to disclose it at any forum prior to its happening.”
When questioned, the deputy mayor claimed that they were transporting DA supporters. Cllr Baptie posed another question – requesting that the deputy mayor disclose how he determined the political affiliation of the people that were transported. This was not answered.
His statement is nothing less than an admission of guilt, the motive political. Evidence strongly suggests that the exercise was intended to support the ANC, – Cllr Baptie.
Independent Electoral Commission officials allegedly also knew about the matter, according to Cllr Baptie, who explained that the IEC officials only offered their version of the event, after the fact.
“This incident backs up the statement made by EFF members at the Party Liaison Committee meeting that ‘bussing’ appeared to have taken place,” said Cllr Baptie.
The verbal report given by the municipal manager – that it is part of public participation – is not accepted by the DA.
He added that the failure by the administration to provide a factual report is damning.
“If the exercise was above board, why was it not placed before all councillors at a council meeting and all parties at the Party Liaison Committee prior to its taking place?” he asked.
He said that very select areas and individuals were involved.
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