The EFF says the decision the South African Local Government Association to award the City of Ekurhuleni metro with two audit awards confirms the competency and sound ethical standing of its deployees as well the party’s ability to govern.
The City was awarded for reducing unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures, and for implementing consequence management in the 2023/24 financial year during which period the EFF Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Nkululeko Dunga was the Mayoral Committee Member responsible for finance.
“This is further evidence of good governance, transparency, accountability, and the
implementation of sound financial management systems under the EFF,” said the EFF in a statement released by provincial spokesperson Dumisani Baleni.
Dunga was recently removed from the position by newly elected mayor Nkosingiphile Xhakaza who alleged he was incompetent in the role, a claim vehemently rejected by the EFF which in turn accused the mayor and a faction within the ANC Ekurhuleni Regional Executive Committee of purging him in order to gain control of the municipality’s coffers.
“This not only demonstrates the EFF’s commitment to running a clean government wherever it is involved but also dispels the propaganda and lies perpetuated regarding the financial status of the Metro under the EFF. It further exposes the fact that Executive Mayor Xhakaza’s decision to remove the EFF MMC was motivated purely by political jealousy and sinister
intentions, and not in the best interests of the people and the department (municipality), “ said Baleni.
Interestingly, Action SA which is part of a DA-led opposition block in the council also claimed credit for the same awards saying it’s councillor, Kholofelo Morodi who serves as chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee was firm in the position ensuring accountability for use of funds.
“This award symbolises the success of the ActionSA-chaired Tshwane MPAC’s ongoing efforts to tighten financial oversight, improve procurement processes and foster a culture of accountability in Tshwane,” said Action SA in a statement.
The EFF which recorded slightly decreased support in the recent elections is on record saying there was a clear campaign to undermine its ability to govern and is cooperating in the ANC and others in municipalities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State as part of publicly stated intention to prove to the electorate that it can run a clean government, said the award demonstrates that very ability in particular responsible usage of public resources.
“Most importantly, the EFF celebrates this milestone because it indicates that under our
custodianship, public funds have been used for their intended purpose and accounted for.
This standard is crucial in moving the City towards better and more sustainable service delivery for the people of Ekurhuleni,” said Baleni in the statement.