Note to Editors: Please find Riona Gokool sound bite attached here
The DA has called for a full investigation after KZN’s Department of Transport (DoT) hosted a lavish event in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) while residents continue to suffer after almost four months of no service delivery.
The bash, held to mark the handover of a district roadworks contract, is a reckless use of public funds. It is also little more than an ANC political stunt to rally support and attempt to save face amid the ongoing onslaught the party is facing due to a lack of RNM political leadership in ending ongoing municipal strike action.
RNM residents have suffered without proper service delivery for months now, including uncollected refuse and sewer, water and electricity issues. The use of taxpayers’ money for unnecessary and excessive spending is a clear display of financial irresponsibility, particularly when those same resources could have been allocated to much-needed service delivery.
The Auditor-General has also expressed dissatisfaction with the event while the fact that neither KZN Transport portfolio committee members or the DA Local Councillor – where the district road is located – were invited to the event further exposes it for what it really is.
KZN’s Treasury recently called for stricter financial oversight and transparency in the allocation and use of budgets. This, as poor financial management within KZN’s government departments, including Transport, continues to harm taxpayers and delays vital infrastructure projects.
The DA will submit written parliamentary questions to KZN Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma, calling for a full breakdown of the budget for the event. It is unacceptable that the DoT continues to host lavish events while KZN’s road infrastructure is in dire need of maintenance and upgrading.
This continued mismanagement and inefficiency when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money must be stopped. This is money that could be better spent on improving services and infrastructure which residents rely on.
At a time when our communities are facing pressing challenges—whether in healthcare, education, housing, or public transport — it is intolerable that government funding is being squandered on extravagant events of no tangible benefit to the people. It is a betrayal of public trust to divert funds away from critical services in favour of self-indulgent events that only serve to benefit a few, rather than addressing the urgent needs of the many.
As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA remains committed to ensuring that taxpayers’ money is used responsibly and effectively, with a clear and direct impact on improving the lives of our province’s citizens.