Map councilors slam irregular R111m spending

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA- Maluti-A-Phofung (MAP) councilors have spoken strong against an irregular expenditure of R111 million and a deviation of R205 million, and called for an investigation by municipal public accounts committee (Mpac).

The councilors were reacting to an item tabled by executive mayor Gilbert Mokotso during a council sitting on Tuesday.
The Member of Mayoral Committee responsible for Finance Azael Nhlapo reminded the chairperson of Mpac to get to the bottom of the findings by the auditor general and report back to the council.
“This requires you to react swiftly and investigate and determine what happened, that led to this irregular expenditure of R111million.”

In response the chairperson of the Mpac Chikota Mkhwanazi told the council that he would not be able to investigate the irregular expenditure because committee members do not attend meetings, and are non-active. He called for their immediate replacement.

“How do I deliver a report urgently when the matter of non-attendance by the committee has not been resolved. I propose that this committee be replaced. As an organization we are planning to resign from this position because it shows we are being sabotaged here. Secondly, we request information from municipal officials but we do not get it.

Meanwhile, speaker Paratatlane Motloung promised to meet with the council whip and the Mpac chairperson so the matter is addressed urgently.
Councilor Tumelo Thulo wondered how the purchase of petrol can be categorized as an emergency.

“It is unfortunate that some of the deviations here are not things that qualify as such. The AG told us not to use Manankwe filing station, yet it appears many times on the lists of payments.”
Mary Crocket also described the deviation as unacceptable.

“There is no date or signature of an accounting officer but R205 million is gone.”