Mr Speaker, the IFP calls for eThekwini Municipality to be placed under immediate administration following the findings released by the Manase Report. The report highlighted numerous instances of alleged corruption and gross maladministration by municipal officials in the ANC- controlled municipality.
We further call for the immediate suspension of all officials and councillors who were named and shamed in the Manase Report, and trust that disciplinary action will be instituted against them. As most of the officials named hold senior positions in the municipality, it is self- evident that it will be unable to carry out a business-as-usual operation. We therefore reiterate our earlier call to the provincial executive to intervene under section 139 of the Constitution.
Before Deputy Minister Carrim says it is a provincial matter, let me say we further request the national Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs to obtain the Manase Report and provide it to this House, as funds appropriated to eThekwini Municipality include conditional grants and municipal infrastructure grants which are included in our national Budget.
Furthermore, no legal costs incurred by the said officials to defend themselves must come from the coffers of eThekwini ratepayers. I thank you.