a) How far is her investigation into the corruption that happened in AB Xuma Local Municipality which saw millions of Rands meant to build a stadium being misused and (b) why has it taken so many years for the investigation to be concluded and those implicated held accountable?
The response below was provided by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape province. Accordingly, I have been advised as follows:
(a) The MEC established a team to investigate the allegations at Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality. The team visited the municipality to conduct an investigation from 11 to 15 July 2022, and conducted interviews with relevant officials; analysed ...
(a) What steps has her department taken to assess and ensure that the construction of the Nogqala Bridge in Ward 19, Engcobo, in the Eastern Cape is above board before granting the Engcobo Local Municipality an additional amount to complete the specified project and (b) who will be held accountable for fruitless and wasteful expenditure and the recovery of the monies, considering that millions of Rand have already been spent but there is no construction of a bridge?
a) The construction of the Nogqala Bridge in Ward 19, Engcobo, in the Eastern Cape Province is being funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) that is administered by the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG). There was no additional amount granted for the construction of the Nogqala Bridge project.
The initial amount of R12 977 495.30 inclusive of VAT that was approved on 5 ...
What collaborative efforts has she taken with the Department of Human Settlements to address municipal spatial injustice to provide residents of Emakhazeni Local Municipality in Sakhelwe Township, Siyathuthuka, Emthonjeni and Emgwenya with stands to build houses?
Provision and demarcation of stands to build houses is competencies of municipalities applying Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA).
End.
What (a) measures has she taken to compel (i) businesses and (ii) government departments who are owing municipal debt to pay the debt and (b) is the envisaged time frame in this regard?
(a)(i) The Minister has no legal authority to compel businesses who are owing municipalities debt to pay that debt to municipalities. Chapter 9 of the Municipal Systems Act and section 28 of the Municipal Property Rates Act have provisions which municipalities can utilise to collect revenue, including debt.
Section 97(1)(g) of the Municipal Systems Act states that a municipality’s credit control and debt collection ...
To what extent is the Government prepared to assist numerous municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal that have been warned to expect and prepare for heavy rains which may cause flooding and infrastructure damage, in the event that the municipalities need to act swiftly and move citizens
who are at risk to safer places;
(2) whether the affected persons will be taken to the same temporary shelters which were provided to flood victims a year ago and who are still in those shelters; if not, where will affected citizens be accommodated; if so, what are the relevant details
1. The municipalities and areas at risk are prioritised by government on the dissemination of early warnings and advisories as issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for informed decision-making by responsible organs of state including communities. The department through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has been working together with relevant organs of state and the province to coordinate efforts in ...
(1)Whether she has been informed that the Council of Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality resolved on 25 January 2023 to appoint Dr Edward Rankwana as Municipal Manager, in spite of letters opposing the appointment that were submitted within the requisite time frame to her and the Member of the Executive Council, Mr Zolile Williams, on behalf of the Democratic Alliance listing a myriad of reasons as to why Dr Rankwana was not a suitable candidate for re-appointment, such as the fact that, at the time of his appointment in January 2023, he was 67 years of age and that at the end of this term he would be 72; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(2) whether there has been any request from the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality to waive the application of the retirement age regulation; if not, what action will be taken against the Council for the appointment in contravention of the regulations; if so, what particular skills set does Dr Rankwana possess that would warrant such a waiver;
(3) whether she will instruct the Council to revoke the appointment and re-advertise the position; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
- The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality Council's 25 January 2023 decision to name Dr. Edward Rankwana as the Municipal Manager has not been shared with the Minister..
- The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality has not requested that the Minister waive Dr. Rankwana's retirement age in accordance with regulation 41(2) of the Regulations on appointment and conditions of employment of senior managers.
- I am unable ...
(1)With reference to traditional leaders in the Republic as they are recognised in Chapter 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, what is the total number of traditional leaders who are paid any remuneration by any sphere of government in each (a) province and (b) category of leadership hierarchy including but not exclusively kings, inkosis, indunas and any other hierarchy of traditional leaders;
(2) what were the total amounts of remuneration paid to traditional leaders in the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21 and (c) 2021-22 financial years in each (i) province and (ii) category of traditional leadership hierarchy, including but not exclusively kings, inkosis, indunas and any other hierarchy of traditional leaders? NW1923E
The Department of Traditional Affairs does not have at its disposal the information that the Honourable Member is requesting as the remuneration of traditional leaders is a competency of Provincial Governments.
End
Whether, given the persistent and detrimental impact of cable theft on municipalities across the Republic, which severely undermines service delivery, disrupts the lives of residents and places a significant financial burden on local governments, she will furnish Ms H Ismail with a comprehensive account of the (a) number of municipalities in each province that have reported cable theft at their respective police stations, (b) reasons for any discrepancies and/or lack of reporting and (c) total number of persons who have been apprehended for their involvement in cable theft thus far and (d) success of the current law enforcement strategies targeting the specified criminal activity?
The South African Police Service deals with the criminal element of cable theft and vandalism. It is advised that the question be forwarded to the Ministry of Police, who can respond to it appropriately.
End.
Whether her department is responsible for completing the construction of the sports ground in Ward 20 in Moretele which has stood incomplete since 2019; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
The sports field in Ward 20 in Moretele is not the responsibility of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It is advised that the honorable member send the inquiry to the Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture so that appropriate solutions can be provided..
End.
Whether, in light of the substantial costs associated with cable theft, she will furnish Ms H Ismail with (a) a detailed breakdown of the financial burden borne by each municipality in each province for the replacement of stolen cables, on (i) a monthly basis and (ii)(aa) for the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2023 and (b) how do the specified expenses impact the overall budget and priorities of the affected municipalities?
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs does not maintain the data that the honorable member requested regarding the cost incurred by each municipality in each province to replace wires that have been stolen.
End.
