The FF Plus welcomes the decision by Mpumalanga MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Busisiwe Shiba, to investigate the financial matters of the Emalahleni Local Municipality (Kriel, Ogies, Phola, eMalahleni/Witbank).
The party, however, does have its doubts about this investigation in terms of Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act seeing as similar investigations that were conducted in the past on the Lekwa Local Municipality (Morgenzon, Standerton) were apparently exploited by the various ANC factions to score points against each other.
The investigations into Lekwa were concluded in 2018 already, but by mid-June 2020, the report had still not been tabled in the provincial Legislature and no steps have been taken.
The FF Plus is of the opinion that these investigations must indeed be conducted, but for the right reasons, such as duly prosecuting corrupt officials, and not just to pacify the public or to gain support for the upcoming elections.
A good example is the fact that the Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, stated more than once that it is important to conduct lifestyle audits on alleged offenders in the provincial government, but nothing has been done.
Voters in Mpumalanga must judge the ANC on its actions, or lack thereof, and in the upcoming elections, voters must stand up with the FF Plus to punish the ANC for its poor service delivery and governance at the polls.
