ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition wants to write off R176 million

Cilliers Brink, the DA’s Tshwane mayoral candidate, has slated the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition’s plan to write off R176 million in irregular expenditure.

He highlighted that this plan came despite two forensic reports recommending recovery and disciplinary action against responsible officials.

The reports about the irregular expenditure deal with amounts of R163.4 million and R12.6 million, respectively.

According to the reports, the Bid Evaluation Committee was negligent, and recovery of the expenditure was recommended.

Yet the coalition majority in the Municipal Public Accounts Committee wants these amounts declared irrecoverable and written off.

According to Brink, this is not consequence management, and Tshwane residents should not bear the cost of municipal negligence.

He said that the ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition demands that residents pay all outstanding amounts and threatens to disconnect households and businesses.

“They even threatened to impose additional charges such as the cleansing levy, while seeking to write off R176 million linked to official negligence,” he said.

He said that if forensic investigators say the money must be recovered, the city should pursue recovery and hold those responsible accountable.

“We therefore oppose the write-off and call for the forensic recommendations to be implemented, including recovery and disciplinary action,” he said.

“Writing off R176 million without pursuing recovery leaves less money for reliable services and infrastructure that local businesses need to sustain and create jobs.”

“Tshwane residents should not have to pay the price for failures inside their municipality. Our objection and dissent have been formally recorded.”