Hon Minister, very often the costs of wasteful and irregular expenditure is due to actions of politicians and officials who use council resources for their own benefit. In the UThukela District Municipality, the deputy mayor took the council's vehicle to watch a soccer match in Johannesburg, she got drunk and through her negligence the vehicle was stolen. To this date, she has not been held accountable nor council has recovered its loses.
What action are you willing to take in this specific case to ensure that the deputy mayor pays back the costs of that vehicle to the municipality? Thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL
AFFAIRS: Hon member, I thought I have informed you that legally I cannot go to a council and demand anything. So, the legal route must be followed by the relevant authorities. The council needs to take action. The Minister has no locus standi in going to the council and say do this and that. You know that as you are asking this question, you know it. Thank you.