The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Sipho Hlomuka has expressed his concern at the failure by the uMkhanyakude and eMadlangeni Councils to pass their respective budget as required by law.
According to section 25 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, municipalities have to approve their annual budget, including revenue–raising measures necessary to give effect to the budget by the 30th of June.
According to section 25 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, municipalities have to approve their annual budget, including revenue–raising measures necessary to give effect to the budget by the 30th of June.
The failure by the two councils threatens their ability to discharge their constitutional obligations of service delivery.
The failure by the two councils threatens their ability to discharge their constitutional obligations of service delivery.
The MEC has directed the Mayors of the two municipalities, which are already under Section 139(1)b intervention to explain the failure by the councils to approve the annual budget.
The MEC will in line with section 26(1) of the MFMA, apprise the provincial executive of the appropriate measures to remedy the situation in terms of section 139(4) of the Constitution.
MEC Hlomuka has emphasised that the department is committed to acting in the interest of the communities of eMadlangeni and uMkhanyakude who now face a serious risk of their municipalities unable to function.
According to the law withdrawals from the bank accounts of the two municipalities can only be done with the prior approval of the MEC for Finance.
Issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Ends.