The DA in Elias Motsoaledi have written to municipal manager, Reginah Mahlakwane, urging clarity on wasteful expenditure and the disclosure of expenses for the ward committee conference that took place at Bela Bela Forever Resort from 17-19 March 2026.
The poor and misguided decision to host the Ward Committee Conference outside of the municipality came at a great cost, and many of these costs could have been avoided. The DA has also raised concerns with Mahlakwane over seemingly inflated numbers and costs such as:
- Hiring of fifteen 22 seater taxis for 330 ward committee members while there are only 310 committee members. The cost of hiring the taxis to the same destination also doubled in price increasing from R142 011 in 2025 to R302 904 in 2026.
- Accommodation for 330 ward committee members while there are only 310 members. The municipality paid R1.389million in 2026.
- 330 gift bags bought for ward committee members instead of 310. The municipality bought the 330 gift bags for R106 260.00 and spent a further R149 730.00 for debossing the municipal logo.
- Paid R448 057 for the conference package
It is also particularly concerning that the 15 taxis transported the ward committee members to Bela Bela on 17 March without the municipality making an order for the service, the order was only done on the 18th of March. These anomalies and inflated prices also raise suspicion whether the conference held out of the municipality is an attempt by the ANC led municipality to fund an election campaign using the municipality’s funds.
The DA has consistently proposed and maintained that such events should be held at a municipal building at no cost or at more cost-effective locations within the municipal boundaries in order to contain costs, support local businesses and grow the local economy. Alternatively, the ward councillors can attend a workshop so that they can then transfer knowledge to ward committees.
This is an unacceptable waste of limited financial resources, especially when the residents of Elias Motsoaledi municipality are deprived of basic services such as roads, reliable water supply, adequate sanitation services, cemetery fencing and high mast lights for security. The DA Ward Councillors did not form part of the conference in protest to the unnecessary and wasteful spending.
The DA is committed to ensuring responsible spending of municipal resources in Elias Motsoaledi in order for residents to receive adequate municipal services.