DRAKENSTEIN is voorwaar ’n plek waar mens kan sê die partytjie stop nooit.
Kiesers wonder seker al of die woord party in die begrip “politieke party” eintlik ’n “paartie” beteken.
Die nuutste paartie wat Drakenstein munisipaliteit gaan hou, is namens SALGA (South African Local Government Association), die werkgewersorganisasie van munisipaliteite in SA, volgens ’n besluit van die ANC burgemeesterskomitee geneem op 6 Februarie.
Alhoewel SALGA ’n organisasie met sy eie begroting van meer as R100 miljoen is, waartoe Drakenstein jaarliks R700 000 bydra, verwag SALGA Wes-Kaap dat Drakenstein ’n bykomende R49700 vir SALGA se provinsiale kongres in die Paarl op 6 en 7 Maart moet opdok. Dit is vir ’n “Gala Dinner” van R30 000; “Drinks” R7 200; “Entertainment for the night” R10 000; en “Corporate gifts for the Premier of the Western Cape and the MEC for Local Government and other VIP’s” van R2 500.
Hierdie pasella aan SALGA moet gesien word in die lig van uittreksels uit ’n persberig oor die verslag van die Ouditeur- Generaal aangaande SALGA se finansies: “SALGA had been unable to provide supporting documents for expenditure of R8,9m. The AG noted unauthorised expenditure of R4,3m, irregular spending of some R3m, and failure to follow bid processes.
“According to the AG’s report, SALGA had breached the Public Finance Management Act, The Public Audit Act, supply chain management regulations and treasury regulations.
“The finances of SALGA – mandated to assist municipalities with their financial management – are in such a shambles that they cannot be accurately audited.
“The Auditor General has given SALGA the worst possible audit evaluation for the third year in succession. The financial statements show that SALGA spent only R5,2m on its programmes, while R71,8m went on salaries, R18,7m on travel costs, R5,2m on telephone bills, R3,2m on stationery and R2,6m on catering. R36m in donations was not received as contracts were not finalised with the donors”.
Hoekom moet Drakenstein alleen hierdie koste dra?
Dit is duidelik dat Drakenstein se publieke fondse misbruik word om die SALGA begroting te rek en die slim pionne in die ANC burgemeesterskomitee werk rustig saam.
Deetlefs du Toit (DA Raadslid)
