The DA in Lephalale expresses its anger and dismay that, despite repeated objections, the ANC-led municipality once again hosted its annual Strategic Planning Session at the luxury 5-star Palala Boutique Hotel, while residents face collapsing infrastructure, service delivery backlogs, and a municipality under mounting financial pressure.
The DA will submit formal questions requesting full disclosure of all costs associated with this junket and ensure the matter is referred to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) to assess value for money and compliance with applicable legislation and municipal policies.
This decision was taken despite formal DA proposals identifying significantly more affordable venues within Lephalale that could have accommodated councillors and officials at a fraction of the cost.
During a January Council meeting, Mayor Mokgetle made it clear that he “would not be dictated to” regarding the venue for the session.
As the DA caucus, we resolved not to incur overnight accommodation costs and travelled daily at our own expense — despite the poor condition of municipal roads, where one DA councillor sustained damage to his private vehicle.
A sickening video has surfaced on Facebook of a person associated with Mayor Mokgetle – but who is neither an employee or councillor of the municipality gloating at the luxurious and “presidential” nature of her suite paid for by the municipality.
See video here
To add insult to injury, noticeable absences and limited participation by several ANC councillors undermined proceedings intended to shape the municipality’s strategic direction and annual budget.
A video has also surfaced appearing to show certain ANC councillors on a game drive with individuals not formally part of the municipality – and on a river cruise. If confirmed, these raise serious concerns about the appropriateness of activities undertaken during a publicly funded programme.
There were also instances of what can only be described as ‘Marie Antoinette’–like dissatisfaction regarding catering preferences — a tone-deaf display that stands in stark contrast to residents struggling with unreliable water supply, sewage overflows and collapsing infrastructure.
Strategic planning determines municipal priorities and guides the annual budget. The DA participated in the sessions to advance the interests of residents and to raise urgent concerns about deteriorating infrastructure and backlogs, ongoing service delivery failures, a municipality in serious financial distress, and the urgent need for clean and accountable governance that delivers.
Rooms at the Palala Boutique Hotel range from R3500 per person to R6500 for an executive single room, and boat cruises and game drives cost R950 and R500 per person respectively.
Municipal funds money are held in trust by the municipality for the good of the community — not for luxury engagements or political indulgence.
Lephalale requires ethical leadership that puts its people first.
Residents and ratepayers deserve better — and in the upcoming local government elections, they will have the opportunity to vote for a responsible, accountable, and progressive DA-led municipal government in Lephalale that puts the interests of residents first.