PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Ratepayers have raised concerns over where the funds come from that is used to back the litany of court cases in the current political battle in Bitou.

The Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association (PBRA) has penned a letter to Bitou Municipal Manager Lonwabo Ngoqo and councillors, asking for assurance that the funds had and would not come out of municipal coffers.

"We have been observing the ongoing litigation over the election of the mayor and speaker with great concern," said PBRA chair Peter Gaylard. "The municipality cannot profit from a situation in which its institutions of governance continue to be rudderless. In terms of the law, the political parties are expected to cooperate in sensible ways in order to promote the interests of the ratepayers and residents of Bitou. Constant wrangling in court can serve no legitimate purpose if, as seems to be clear, the object is to further the personal ambitions and naked avarice of councillors and officials. We register our protest at these machinations in the strongest possible terms."

He said they are also concerned that municipal funds are being used to finance the litigation. "We seek, as a matter of urgency, the formal assurance that this is not so. If you can reassure us that the municipal coffers are not being raided for the purpose, we invite you to tell us, as the representatives of residents in this municipality, precisely where you are sourcing the funds. Bland assurances within this context will simply not suffice."

Bitou municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu said that he had forwarded a request for clarity to Ngoqo, but no response was received before going to print.

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