COUNCILLORS and managers at Mtubatuba Municipality were, yesterday, issued a final warning regarding the local municipality’s performance.
During a four-hour meeting in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Senzo Mchunu, said he was ‘sickened’ by the behaviour of municipal officials in Mtubatuba.
‘I have drawn a red line in the sand,’ said the premier when talking about the corruption associated with the local municipality.
As of 1 October, until the end of March next year, all councillors and management at Mtubatuba Municipality must heed the final warning.
Should any further corruption occur at the local municipality, those responsible will be charged, sentenced and not be entitled to any government legal aid to fight the charges.
Mchunu added that Mtubatuba councillors and management must pay special attention to chapter seven of the constitution.
This chapter refers to the role of local municipalities within the republic. Each local municipality must follow five rules within the ‘objects of local government’.
These rules include the provision of democratic and accountable government for local communities, ensuring the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner, and to encourage the involvement of local communities in the matters of local government.
Such blatant disregard of these rules by Mtubatuba Municipality will no longer be tolerated by provincial government.
