Ratepayer organisations have welcomed the decision by the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Thulasizwe Buthelezi to launch investigations into three municipalities in the province.
They stated that the investigation is long overdue, as they have raised a number of concerns about how the municipalities are run.
Cogta MEC Buthelezi announced last week that the department was launching investigations into the Msunduzi, KwaDukuza and Nongoma municipalities.
KwaDukuza has been in the news recently after it emerged that millions of rand were stolen from its bank account.
Deon Viljoen, chairperson of the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (DOCRRA), said they have been engaging with the KZN Cogta department since late last year to raise critical issues facing their community.
“We were delighted to be invited to meet with them on 7 February, where we outlined our concerns about KwaDukuza Municipality on behalf of Dolphin Coast residents, as well as in our role as the keystone member of the KwaDukuza Organised Residents Alliance (Kora).
“Amongst a plethora of items, we emphasised a complete breakdown of trust between the municipality and the community—particularly regarding the electricity crisis. We also highlighted the lack of stakeholder engagement, the capture of municipal facilities and assets, abuse of political office, and the deliberate intimidation of civil society members.
“We welcome the launch of this investigation and expect full cooperation from municipality, as well as the implementation of appropriate consequence management measures upon its conclusion. We want to thank our Kora civil society partners and our ward councillors for the role they have played in making this intervention a reality. Lastly, we want to thank the team at KZN Cogta for hearing the cries of this community and taking action,” he said.
The Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics welcomed the investigation in the Msunduzi Municipality.
The organisation said in a statement that it had been advocating for the past few years for Cogta to initiate forensic investigations into Msunduzi Municipality.
“We believe that the forensic investigations will unearth much corruption, nepotism, and dereliction of duty by senior management and the accounting officer.
“We hope that this forensic investigation will be thorough and that any findings must lead to the prosecution of the guilty parties. We would also like to know who will be appointed for the forensic investigations at Msunduzi Municipality. We look forward to being part of this process and would also like to provide any input on the forensic investigations,” it said.
THE MERCURY
