The DA in Tzaneen submitted questions for written response on the ongoing trend to source venues for workshops outside the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality’s (GTLM)boundaries.
During 15 to 17 July 2024, the annual Human Resources Policy review workshop was conducted at a luxury 4 Star resort outside Polokwane, while GTLM has the necessary facilities to host such workshops.
In addition, when such workshops are attended by councillors and officials, they claim travel costs.
The MFMA is clear that the accounting officer must utilise financial resources effectively, efficiently, economically and in the best interests of the municipality. Utilising such extravagant venues outside municipal boundaries is not only contrary to MFMA prescribes, but a slap in the face of local vendors and rate payers.
Such wasteful expenditure is exacerbated by the municipality’s financial inability to maintain its own ailing infrastructure.
We will further escalate this matter to the MEC for COGHSTA, Basikopo Makamo, to investigate.
The DA will not stand idly by whilst funding is not prioritised to benefit the communities of the GTLM and we will expose all flagrant extravagance and abuse of public funds.