Documents `disappear'
2007-11-01
THE submission of a report regarding a municipal delegation’s trip to Europe in May, defused a whole debate on the matter at a meeting of the Mayoral Committee last week.
Khaya Mrali, Drakenstein Municipality Head of Corporate Services, submitted a detailed report on the trip undertaken to investigate the German management of the World Soccer Cup.
The delegation consisted of Dr Sidima Kabanyane (Municipal Manager), Wilhelm Nothnagel (Deputy Mayor), Khaya Mrali and Theo Koopman (Co-ordinator of the Drakenstein Soccer Bid Committee).
The purpose was to learn from the German experience and apply that to the local soccer bid.
The trip was followed by reports in a tabloid daily implying that there had been inappropriate use of the funds for the trip.
Said Mrali: “I submitted copies of all documents and slips on all expenditures of our trip in Germany, in the week we came back.
“Within 24 hours all these copies had disappeared from the office.
But I have all the originals and anyone who want to see them, is welcome.
“I submitted this report previously to Council, but it was just noted."
Claude Julies (ANC) said that an investigation should be undertaken to find out how these documents had ended up in the hands of the media, generating reports damaging to Mrali’s image.
“There are officials and councillors who gave these documents to the media and these people need to be investigated”.
Mayor Charmaine Manuel (ANC) stated firmly that she did not exercise her politics “in the gutter”.
“Decency is a norm. An investigation will be launched against the officials and councillors and they will be dealt with.
“We already have the names of some of these officials who are involved in leaking confidential information.
“If they cannot behave in a decent manner, then we will teach them to do so”.
JT Basson (ANC) said that the report was a working document and should be handled by administration.
“Administration should then submit a summary of this report to the Mayoral Committee."
Thulani Kompela (ANC) agreed with Basson and said, “It is out of frustration that Khaya is doing this. It is due to all the accusations and allegations that have been made regarding this trip."
Arthob Petersen (ANC) also expressed his disgust regarding the whole situation.
“I would never want to go abroad for this Council if this is the manner in which I will be treated on expenditure. This trip was taken when the DA was in power."
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