Dear Editor
The extend of alleged fruitless and wasteful expenditure by the previous ANC-led Kannaland Council has unfolded after the high court ruling on 13 October in Kannaland Municipality v. the IEC, the MEC for Local Government, and KIP (Kannaland Independent Party).
It is alleged that an amount of R1 831 621 remains outstanding for legal representation on behalf of two current ANC councillors, and the former KIP councillor who apparently served without a KIP mandate until the 13 October judgement removed him. In addition to the outstanding amount, an alleged R798 000 had been paid in these matters on or about 26 September. Current investigations are expected to reveal additional earlier payments.
It is also alleged that municipal money funded high court applications citing the applicant as the Kannaland Municipality, designed to protect ANC and KIP councillors against party expulsion and membership termination – matters that is not of municipal concern, and should have been filed by the members in their personal capacities.
I am today, sending a report to the Western Cape Minister for Local Government to launch a comprehensive forensic investigation into the alleged irregular funding of legal representation by the Kannaland Municipality.
The DA stands for good governance by transparency, accountability, and compliance for service delivery. All Western Cape municipalities should want to commit to this standard.
Regards
Tertuis Simmers
DA Provincial Leader, Western Cape
Cape Town Lens: Llandudno