KNYSNA NEWS - Mark Willemse, the newly appointed chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), says he will promote a culture of transparency and accountability in the Knysna municipality.
In a statement by Willemse, of the Knysna Independent Movement (KIM), he says he will ensure that, under his leadership in the vital oversight committee, "all reasonable measures are taken to ensure that irregular, fruitless and wasteful and unauthorised expenditure (by the municipality) is recovered from the responsible persons".
"As the newly elected chairperson of MPAC, which is a Section 79 committee established in terms of the Municipal Structures Act, the municipal equivalent of Scopa, I invite all members of the public and other stakeholders to either attend or follow the upcoming meeting on YouTube on 24 March at 14:00," Willemse said.
'Critical meeting'
"This meeting is critical, as it will deal with the finalisation of the Oversight report on the Annual Report, which is based on the general performance of the municipality.
"Members of the public, who have submitted written comments on the Annual Report are invited to address MPAC during the meeting."
The MPAC plays a vital oversight role in ensuring transparency and good governance within the municipality.
'Held accountable'
"This role is crucial in ensuring that the political executive, as well as administration, is held accountable at all times.
"As chair, I intend to ensure that MPAC fulfils its oversight role and that all reasonable measures are taken to ensure that irregular, fruitless and wasteful and unauthorised expenditure is recovered from the responsible persons," said Willemse.
He said as is the case with council meetings, all MPAC meetings are open to the public, except in exceptional circumstances, when confidential matters are being dealt with.
"In future, the agendas of all open MPAC meetings will be on the municipal website and the public may follow the meetings."
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