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The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for the Phumelela Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) report to be returned due to outstanding documents and unanswered questions. As mandated by section 129 of the MFMA, MPAC is responsible for overseeing the annual report and ensuring accountability. However, during the meeting on 22 and 23 April, the MPAC report fell short of our expectations.

The management of the municipality, led by the acting Municipal Manager, was summoned by MPAC to present the annual report and answer questions posed by MPAC members. It was agreed that all outstanding documents would follow before the report could go to the council.

Unfortunately, this did not happen, and as a result, the Democratic Alliance cannot recognize the report of MPAC as a true reflection of what was discussed during the MPAC meetings.

Several questions remain unanswered, which makes us question the accuracy and completeness of the report tabled before the council. On page 3 of the MPAC report, questions (E, G) were posed, and we requested the formal report, while question (G) required the BOQ of that project. On page 4 of the report, there is no information, and on page 5 (E, F), full details are also required. On page 6 of the report, the entire page (H) is about the suspension, fleet management, municipal properties, and sale of stands in three towns.

The DA, therefore, requests that the report goes back to MPAC and the council, where all outstanding documents should be provided, and that the questions posed in the report be fully addressed to ensure the report is a true reflection of our discussions.

Concrete action must be taken if the necessary documents are not provided and the questions posed in the report are not fully addressed. The DA will refer the matter to Provincial Public Accounts Committee should all outstanding reports not be provided and ensure accountability.

We call on the municipality to take swift action in addressing the outstanding issues and provide the necessary documentation. The people of our municipality deserve transparency and accountability, and the Democratic Alliance will not rest until we achieve this.

Issued by Ntombi Mokoena - DA Councillor Phumelela Local Municipality