Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Cllr Warren Burne, DA eThekwini Whip for MPAC
The DA in eThekwini condemns the repeated non-attendance of ANC, EFF and IFP councillors at Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) meetings, resulting in meetings being inquorate, matters being deferred and critical oversight work being delayed. This has happened on three occasions, most recently on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
MPAC consists of 11 councillors, with five from the ANC, three from the DA, and one each from the EFF, IFP and ActionSA. To function effectively, councillors from all parties must attend and participate.
MPAC plays a critical oversight role over Unauthorised, Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful (UIFW) expenditure in the Municipality. Senior management is required to submit and present detailed reports to the committee, which also considers reports from the Audit and Risk Committee, the City Integrity and Investigative Unit, the Supply Chain Management Directorate and other senior municipal structures.
With the current Council’s term nearing its end, it is unacceptable that important oversight meetings have repeatedly failed to proceed because more than half of MPAC members have not attended.
Several UIFW reports have been referred to departments for additional information, including the report on UIFW expenditure relating to the operation of the Municipality’s soup kitchens. These matters will now have to be considered afresh by the incoming MPAC.
Of particular concern is the Municipality’s failure to provide a report on water-loss statistics and reservoir levels. DA councillors have requested it since April 2026, yet despite repeated requests and a City Manager instruction on 4 August for it to be tabled at the next MPAC meeting, it remains outstanding.
These failures have direct consequences for service delivery. UIFW expenditure places public funds at risk, while inadequate oversight of water losses undermines the Municipality’s ability to manage its water resources effectively. When critical reports are delayed and oversight meetings cannot proceed, problems remain unresolved and residents bear the consequences.
UIFW expenditure and water losses are among the Municipality’s most critical issues and require rigorous oversight to ensure transparency and accountability. Continued deferrals caused by inadequate reporting and inquorate meetings are unacceptable and show a disregard by the ANC, EFF and IFP for the interests of residents and ratepayers.
At the upcoming local government elections, residents will have the opportunity to elect a Council that prioritises their oversight responsibility and prioritises transparency, accountability and consequence management.