The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West today wrote to the MEC for Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile, requesting him to put a stop to the Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality’s three-day mid-term budget assessment meeting that is to be held at the Rio Casino in Klerksdorp this week.
Such extravagance by a rural municipality that finds itself in dire financial straits, is a slap in the face of every resident that has gone without the most basic services such as refuse collection.
The municipality also hosted its strategic planning session in Hartbeespoort in November 2020 – another meeting that could have been hosted at the municipal chambers to save costs.
It is further surprising that the municipality would be hosting yet another meeting so soon after splashing out at Hartbeespoort and also after its councillors and non-essential staff just returned from December holidays.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is unwise to unnecessarily expose councillors and staff in this manner.
We are of the view that if such meetings are indeed fruitful and conducive to the improvement of operations of the municipality, it should be hosted at the municipal chambers where Covid-19 regulations are adhered to.
The DA will submit written questions to the MEC to report on similar expenditure by all municipalities to determine the magnitude of this extravagance in such tough economic times.