KNYSNA NEWS - Members of Parliament have requested a fast-tracked forensic investigation into allegations of corruption and maladministration at Knysna Municipality.
According to media reports, chairperson of the portfolio committee on co-operative governance and traditional affairs, Faith Muthambi, asked the provincial Department of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning to share its findings on the 2018 Diagnostic Assessment Report on the municipality.
Mutambi said there must be an effective monitoring evaluation mechanism in place to address the municipality’s problems of maladministration and poor performance.
This move by the National Parliament was welcomed by Knysna United chairperson Ralph Stander.
“What was very encouraging about Parliament's move was that all parties were in total agreement that serious intervention must happen in Knysna Municipality,” he said.
On Wednesday, Muthambi was briefed by Stander about the installation of approximately 4000 prepaid water metres which was not budgeted for and for which there was no official tender.
Responding to Mutambi, Knysna executive mayor Elrick van Aswegen said R32 million was spent on the installation and purchase of 7500 pre-paid meters, of which 6995 were received by the municipality.
“5000 of those meters have been activated in nine out of the 11 municipal wards. the municipality had experienced a political and administrative crisis since January 2018: The position of the municipal manager was filled in an acting basis during that period and there was serious instability in the municipality,” he said.
The committee noted the commitment made by the department in the meeting to support the municipality in its turnaround financial recovery plan and the municipality was told to come with a report on steps taken against those who are responsible for the mess the municipality finds itself in.
Knysna United was asked to respond in writing on allegations of corruption levelled against it by the municipality.
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