Councilors reminded to declare financial interests

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – The Speaker of Maluti-A-Phofung municipal council, Paratlane Motloung, has reminded councilors to declare their financial interests as required by law.

Motloung sad this during the council sitting at Phuthaditjhaba multipurpose hall last Thursday February 3.

“Remember, under the law, declaration of assets must be done within 60 days of a councilor’s sworn in. This must be done in writing to the municipal manager who will compile them into a database.”

According to law, such financial interests includes shares and securities in any company, membership in any trust, directorship and partnership, among others.

Explaining the declaration procedure, council chief whip Moeketsi Lebesa who is the president of Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa, said:

“All councilors must declare their business interests. No councilor is allowed to do business with government, that is municipalities, and the provincial and national governments. You must choose whether you want to be paid by government as a councilor or through business, but it cannot be both. It’s either you resign and keep your business or you become a councilor and stop doing business with government.”

Lebesa’s explanation  follows a concern from one of new councilors who seemed not to understand the reason behind it. He went on to say even municipal officials must declare their interests because they are also employed on political office.

Paratlane explained that officials report to the municipal manager hence he is the one who will handle the matter.

Other issues that were raised pertained to the tools of the trade in the midst of Covid-19, since most communication is done remotely hence a need for laptops.

In response, municipal manager Tseko Futhuli Thamaha said the issue of laptops is receiving urgent attention with an order for purchase already made .