The Democratic Alliance (DA) in eThekwini remains highly concerned about the write-off of more than R290.5 million at the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).
In the latest MPAC report on unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure (UIFW) to council, an amount of R290.5 million was written off. This amount includes electricity, water and sanitation, roads and storm water.
This decision was taken by the Municipal Public Accounts Committee after extensive interrogation of reports dealing with UIFW. Some matters have been referred by MPAC for criminal charges as well as disciplinary action against offending officials.
The DA will closely monitor progress of these investigations, as far too often officials are charged but never see their day in court.
We await the next quarterly report of the Financial Misconduct Board, which details the implementation of disciplinary action taken or not taken against these officials and the reasons thereof.
In its oversight capacity, MPAC must ensure that each report is dealt with firmly within the legislation and that all irregularities are dealt with, as well as ensuring that there is no further occurrence of such irregularities in the future.
We must emphasize the poor services received by residents of eThekwini, particularly by the water department. The lackadaisical attitude of the head of Water and Sanitation, Ednick Msweli in dealing with the water crisis and seriously increasing water losses in eThekwini is unacceptable.
Mr. Msweli has failed dismally in taking a firm grip on ensuring that the water losses reduce furthermore he has no effective plan in place to ensure water loss is reduced. Water loss has steadily increased over time and continues to worsen. This is a major concern for MPAC as it negatively affects the city’s finances as well as water services to residents of this city.
Lack of consequence management still tops the inefficiencies of eThekwini Municipality. Not only has the Auditor raised this matter but members raise this at every sitting of MPAC. Unless consequence management is dealt with in this municipality officials will continue with improper conduct and UIFW will only increase.
There has also been a concerning regression in the procurement and contract management processes due to deficiencies in internal controls. Management has provided action plans to address these and we will be ensuring that this is monitored until these have been properly and effectively resolved.
The mandate of MPAC to ensure oversight over the city’s finances will be seriously ensured by the DA in eThekwini. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that there are proper processes followed and that those who continue to flout SCM regulations are seriously dealt with.
We will ensure that consequence management is properly enforced by the City manager and the Financial misconduct board.
The DA in eThekwini takes all these matters seriously and will continue to put pressure on the heads of departments and Deputy city managers to ensure UIFW reduces and proper measures are in place to avoid further UIFW occurring in eThekwini.