Local governance declines even further in Jeffreys Bay

The Chairman of the Co-ordinating Committee of the Democratic Alliance in the Jeffreys Bay Region, Dr. Nico Botha, recently expressed his party’s concern about the apparent recent further decline in effective local governance.

“Six issues stand out,” Botha told DAtanet. “Tender irregularities appear to be rife; the working relationship between senior managers has deteriorated to such an extent that efficient administration of the municipality is likely to break down soon if there is no intervention; the adjustment budget was approved in a way that is not consistent with current legislation; in order to fund a significant increase in staff expenditure (from R147 million to R171 million), spending on repair and maintenance would be reduced by 40%, thereby allowing the town’s infrastructure to deteriorate even further; both the CFO and the Mayor are of the opinion that providing jobs to locals is one of the primary functions of the municipality, thereby effectively relegating effective service delivery.”

Dr. Botha repeated his warning that the municipality is finding it increasingly difficult to pay their creditors on time, if at all. This includes the monthly payment to ESCOM.

“The time for a change in local government is long overdue,” he said. “The Democratic Alliance is ready, willing and able to come to the rescue of the people of the Kouga if elected during the 2011 municipal election.”