Following their November third meeting with representatives of the Greater Westonaria Concerned Resident’s Association (GWCRA) and other interested parties, Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lechesa Tsenoli, and Gauteng MEC for Human Settlement, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ntombi Mekgwe, promised remedial action and that action is now taking form.
The resident’s association had accused the Westonaria Municipality, and, specifically, the Bekkersdal Urban Renewal Programme, of corruption, and in response to this the minister requested the MEC (in terms of clause 106 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act No 32 of 2000) to institute a Forensic Investigation of both the municipality and the urban renewal programme, with immediate effect. The MEC agreed. This work will be done working together with representatives of the concerned groups to ensure speedy resolution of the situation.
“This is a joint effort,” said Minister Tsenoli. “Neither the national department nor the province will tolerate fraud or corruption, and this is just one of many ways we are cooperating with one another.”
The Auditor General’s office has also agreed to participate in this process; terms of reference are to be drawn up before end November, and it is the duty of anyone who has information concerning these allegations to share this information with the investigating team. “The Gauteng Government is steadfastly opposed to all corrupt practices, and the better the information we receive, the better our ability to fight corruption,” added Ms Mekgwe. “I ask those of you who have such information to please contact the Gauteng Provincial Government through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs before November 30th 2013”.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has appointed a Task Team to drive the service-delivery programme forward in the province at a faster pace. It is a move that has the support of CoGTA and other national departments. The team, working together with the representatives of the GWCRA, will report back regularly to the community on priorities and progress.
In line with the Municipal Demarcation Act no. 27 of 1998, the MEC will gazette a notice, following due process, to appoint an administrator to accomplish an amalgamation of Westonaria and Randfontein into a single municipality by 2016.
The administrator will lead a team comprising of senior officials from CoGTA as well as the District Municipality. Representatives of the GWCRA and other stakeholders will participate to ensure an inclusive and democratic outcome.
The Minister and MEC appreciate the contribution of the African National Congress, South African Communist Party and the Congress of South African Trade Unions towards tolerance and stability in Bekkersdal.
