The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has called on the Co-operative Governance MEC Fikile Xasa to dissolve the council of Mnquma Municipality at Butterworth.
Party members braved the wet weather and marched to the municipal offices in a fight against corruption.
DA provincial leader, Nqaba Bhanga says that incidents of fraud and corruption are on a grand scale in the municipality including the irregular awarding of tenders.
He says some municipal employees are receiving kickbacks for state business with total disregard for the Public Finance Management Act. He says some employees are not going to get their salaries in November.
“They can’t pay water; they can’t pay electricity and services and they can’t pay salaries. This councillor, who was standing here, has just confirmed that they don’t have money to pay salaries and they have money to buy toilet papers. Therefore, we want to come here and run this municipality.”
Acting Mayor Ndyebo Sikhelenge says they are equally concerned about the state of affairs in the municipality.
“As we have received the petition, we are moving inside the offices and now we are going to discuss it in a formal meeting and respond to them, but nevertheless, what they have said is not a concern, but that concern is a concern of the ANC and not only the Democratic Alliance.”
