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Following allegations that the Theewaterskloof Deputy Mayor and Speaker are attending the Rugby World Cup in France on taxpayers’ money; the DA in the Western Cape has reported the incident to the Provincial Treasury and asked for a thorough investigation to be done.
If these official visits are indeed being used as a guise to attend the Rugby World Cup, it raises serious ethical and financial concerns. While these Theewaterskloof officials go on this jaunt, many local governments in the Western Cape are putting up viewing sites so that all residents are included and communities can enjoy the rugby together.
The Theewaterskloof Municipality, under its current leadership, has been marred by allegations of corruption and incompetence, leading to a decline in the delivery of essential services. It is of utmost importance that public officials prioritise the needs and well-being of the citizens they represent above all else.
Just recently:
• A whistleblower accused the Theewaterskloof’s director for community services, Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, of allegedly misusing taxpayers’ money to pay for two ANC councillors’ flights to the party’s policy conference held in Joburg last year. He was subsequently rewarded and appointed as the Municipal Manager of Theewaterskloof.
• The inability of the Municipality to operate within the legislative framework for Supply Chain management policies, has amounted to deviations of more than a R100 million,
• Collection rates have lowered to 73% and investments have lowered by R150 million.
• Additionally, The Municipality also forfeited R35 million in unused grants, that could have been utilized to provide services to the people of Theewaterskloof.
These are just a few examples of the corruption and maladministration currently plaguing the Theewaterskloof Municipality.
We have requested the Provincial Treasury to investigate this matter to determine whether this particular excursion genuinely serves the interests of the people of Theewaterskloof and whether any municipal funds in the form of daily allowances or otherwise have been paid to the officials.
The citizens of Theewaterskloof deserve clear and honest explanations regarding this trip and its implications for their municipality.
The DA firmly believes that public officials should be held accountable for their actions, and transparency is a critical aspect of maintaining public trust.