The DA in Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality (GTLM) has written to the municipal manager, Mr. Donald Mhangwana, to intervene to put an end to the unlawful and highly irregular actions by the Water Manager, Ms. Mapula Tedia Molewa.
Since 12 August 2024, following a series of oversights during which the DA uncovered water losses at the water treatment plant in Georges Valley, the Water Manager prohibited any further oversights by councillors to water infrastructure.
Ms. Molewa made her intentions known on a councillors Whatsapp group and access was denied to our councillors at the Georges Valley water plant ever since.
The DA councillor serving on the infrastructure portfolio, has been going to the plant daily, but is consistently denied access.
Oversight is a constitutional obligation for councillors to ensure accountability, transparency and service delivery.
Officials who actively prevent oversight by councillors are acting contrary to the basic values and principles governing the administration as set out in The Constitution.
We expect the municipal manager to allow councillor oversight to proceed unhindered and that the implicated official be held accountable for her action.
Whilst the DA maintain a good working relationship with most of the officials in the municipality, we will not be intimidated by officials who float the law to deter us from performing our mandate.