The leader of the Botho Community Movement (BCM) Ofentse Kombe has slammed ANC’ statement that it decided to enter into a coalition agreement with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at the Rustenburg Local Municipal council to stabilise governance and improve service delivery to the residents of Rustenburg.
Kombe was reacting to the statement made by the ANC Provincial spokesperson Tumelo Maruping on YOU FM Newshour last week, that ANC opted for the EFF coalition with the aim of stabilising governance in various municipal councils in the province.
Maruping said that a similar decision was taken at the Moses Kotane, Moretele, Ditsobotla Local Municipalities and other local councils in the province.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Kombe said that they appreciate the fact that it’s every political party’s prerogative to choose who it wants to work with.
“I think as political parties, every political party has a right to work with whoever they want, but they must also be truthful in taking such a decision.
There has not been any instability in the Rustenburg Local Municipality because of this particular coalition that was in place as they’re alleging.
In fact, by the time we entered this coalition, the collection rate of the municipality was hovering around the 62% mark and with us having formed part of the government then in January with the mid-term performance assessment the collection rate was already up to 84%.
There has not been a single instance when the municipality was unable to submit or table in council its budget and approve the budget within stipulated time frames as provided for in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA),” Kombe explained.
Furthermore, Kombe said that there’s not been a single instance where the budget and treasury portfolio committee was unable to sit and meet according to the central guidelines of the municipality.
“That’s why we are saying they must base their decision on the truth.
They must not come and say that the decision to work with the EFF is because of instability caused by BCM and other political parties or try to paint a picture of us not having the necessary capacity or capability or qualifications to be able to govern,” remarked Kombe.
In addition, Kombe said that they don’t know how the ANC arrived at the decision that there was instability at the municipality when there was no assessment conducted.
“We wrote a letter in July 2024 to the ANC Provincial Secretary (Louis Diremelo) which went unanswered, exactly to iron out those kinds of issues in terms of how we meet on a frequent basis, deal with issues of service delivery and put in place performance management systems.
Fortunately, on the finance side, you’re also guided by the MFMA, the municipal budgeting and reporting regulations, so the performance is there monthly.
So, I don’t because I’ve seen in some publications where they’re speaking of having done research and assessment.
I don’t know which section 71 report they were using to make such an assessment and conclude that the hasn’t been stability or improved performance in the municipality,” Kombe emphasised.
Kombe said that there’s evidence of his contribution as the MMC responsible for Local Economic Development (LED).
