The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape province (COGTA-EC) is aware of the challenges that continue to cause paralysis in the smooth running of Inkwanca Local Municipality.
These challenges have resulted to the disruption of service delivery like the provision of water to the community of Molteno.
Some of the challenges amongst others include the following:
- Refusal by the leadership of the municipality to implement the recommendations of the comprehensive forensic report on fraud and corruption. The issue is being contested in court by the leadership of the municipality.
- Non-payment of some employees for a period of five months. Others have been suspended without following due processes.
- Illegal and unlawful removal of the seat of the municipality from Molteno to Sterkstroom.
- Unauthorised removal of the municipal server from Molteno to Sterkstroom thereby disrupting the operations of the municipality.
- Lack of support and co-operation by the leadership of the municipality to the Task Team appointed by COGTA-EC to unlock service delivery challenges.
Our department is following up on the above issues including the resolution of the non-payment of employees. It is clear that the leadership of the municipality is failing in its executive authority, notwithstanding the support and interventions by COGTA-EC to stabilise it.
It is against this background, that COGTA-EC is gearing itself to implement a more radical approach to bring stability in the interest of the community of the area. Our patience has run out, hence there is a sense of urgency to deal with issues bedevilling Inkwanca within the confines of the law.
The urgent intervention will encompass enlisting the support of the national department and other state law enforcement organs to address issues of fraud and corruption unearthed by the forensic report. COGTA-EC will act decisively to prevent the further division of the community which seeks to satisfy interest and egos of certain individuals.
Our department remains committed and willing to work with leadership of the municipality in the context of co-operative governance to create better communities and move Inkwanca municipality forward.
Enquiries:
Mamnkeli Ngam
Mobile: 071 685 7981
