Note to Editors: Please find attached Sithembiso-Ngema-English-Soundbite and Sithembiso-Ngema-IsiZulu-Soundbite
-When the DA takes over municipalities in KZN, we will fight to end cadre deployment, corruption and financial collapse.
-We will conduct forensic financial audit and recover stolen public funds.
– We are here to rescue KZN and get it working for all.
The leader of the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal (DA KZN) Sithembiso Ngema is making this pledge to the people of this province: When the DA takes over municipalities in KZN, we will fight to end cadre deployment, corruption and financial collapse.
Our plan is built on the core principles of the DA Manifesto to build capable state, zero tolerance for corruption, clean and efficient government that delivers growth and jobs.
The DA KZN will implement the following immediate interventions:
Full Employment and Skills Audit:
In line with the DA’s commitment to a professional public service based on merit, not political connections, we will conduct a comprehensive audit of how municipal staff were employed and whether they are qualified and fit for purpose.
The DA believes in an Open Opportunity Society where jobs go to those with the skills to do them, not to friends and comrades.
Conduct Forensic Financial Audit:
In line with the DA Economic Policy of efficient and responsible use of public funds, we will conduct a full forensic audit of municipal finances.
We will establish how much public funds have been lost through irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and identify those responsible.
The DA draws a clear line – corrupt officials must face jail time. Where evidence of corruption, tender fraud or deliberate circumvention of supply chain processes exists, we will lay criminal charges against implicated Municipal Managers and City Managers.
No more disclaimed audits with no consequences. Those who stole from the public funds must face the full might of the law.
Recovery of Stolen Public Funds:
We will institute civil recovery measures to claw back every cent stolen from municipalities. Public funds must work for the people to deliver water, electricity, roads and services not to enrich individuals’ pockets.
This work has already begun.
The DA KZN has mandated all our public representatives in impactful oversight positions in the Legislature and Municipal Councils to interrogate Auditor-General reports, MPAC reports and Section 106 reports to identify municipalities implicated in corruption and financial mismanagement.
We are not here to play. We are here to rescue KZN and get it working for all.
The DA will not tolerate corruption. We will be aggressive, relentless and unapologetic in cleaning up KZN municipalities and ensuring public money serves the public, not a connected few.
Corruption has collapsed service delivery and chased away investment and jobs. Under a DA government, that has no place.