Loading ...2010 07 07 – AfriForum lodges a complaint with the Public Protector over maladministration of Free State municipalities
AfriForum has lodged a complaint with the Public Protector following the threat by Eskom to disconnect electricity supply to a number of municipalities in the Free State. This comes after municipal authorities failed to pay amounts due to Eskom for electricity provided.
Mr. Cornelius Jansen van Rensburg, AfriForum spokesperson for local government affairs, said that disconnecting the electricity in these municipalities would have a severe impact on the economy and social stability of the entire Free State. Fifty towns would be affected by the electricity cut-off, which could bring the Free State economy to its knees.
AfriForum stated in its complaint that it was clear from the magnitude of the problem that those responsible for the administration and governance of these municipalities have not fulfilled their duty towards the community. “As a result of local governmental maladministration, the residents in these municipalities who did pay their service accounts will now be the ones to suffer,” Jansen van Rensburg said.
The municipalities that are to be affected are Mangaung (Bloemfontein), Matjhabeng (Welkom), Moqhaka (Kroonstad), Ngwathe (Parys), Dihlabeng (Bethlehem), Naledi, Kopanong, Mohokare, Mafube, Masilonyana and Nala.
In terms of Section 182(1) of the Constitution, AfriForum has requested the Public Protector to:
1. Investigate the maladministration of the local municipalities in question; and
2. Provide AfriForum with a report on the conduct that led to this crisis.
Jansen van Rensburg said that it is clear that almost no management capacity exists in local government. The national government’s tolerance of this situation is now becoming a real threat for the county at large.
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