The Democratic Alliance (DA) in uMhlathuze Local Municipality has written to the Municipal Speaker, Cllr Slondile Mkhize to request an urgent probe into the ANC Councillors who have been allegedly issuing permits on Councillors’ letterheads.
The DA has in its possession one of the letters that were issued by an ANC Councillor.
While businesses are collapsing and our people are losing jobs because they are deemed as non-essential services, it is unjust and absolute abuse of power for the ANC to be issuing permits to those that are politically-affiliated with the party. It is despicable of the ruling party to order a lockdown which is interfering with the livelihoods of ordinary residents whilst at the same time they and those that are close to them, can go about their normal lives.
Our complaint to the Speaker is:
- We are of the view that according to the Municipal Systems and Structures Act no Municipal Official nor a Councillor may issue any certificate authorising and, or permitting anybody to supply Essential Services as defined in the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002);
- We are further of the view that a certificate can only be issued by the Commissioner of Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC); and
- Only businesses which provide essential services in terms of the Lockdown Regulation, as amended, issued by the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) may continue their operations during the Covid-19 lockdown.
We have since given the speaker 14 days to respond to these allegations and are hopeful that if the allegations are found to be true they will set an example by dealing with the issue decisively.
We are all equal before the law and anyone who is not adhering to regulations put in place must face the full might of the law.
This is the most recent of alleged fraudulent or irregular actions that have plagued South Africa as unclear and indecisive lockdown regulations are promulgated by National Ministers each week.
The DA has been consistently making suggestions to the government to ease down-regulations so that we can save both lives and livelihoods for all South Africans. Seemingly the ANC only wants that for themselves rather than the people that have trusted them with their lives