The Ratlou Local Municipality finally appeared before the North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts after the Committee imposed summons to the municipality in terms of the Section 14 of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, 2004 (Act No 24 of 2004).
The municipality which was called to account on the 2011/12 Municipal Audit Outcomes, had repeatedly failed to appear before the committee without sending an apology or notification.
The Act read with Section 115(a) of the Constitution, further read with the North West Provincial Legislature Rule 60(3) gives the Legislature powers to summon people to appear before it. Failure to attend the meeting would have been a criminal offence, punishable upon conviction, by a fine and imprisonment as contemplated in Section 17 of the Act.
Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Hlomane Chauke, said the law had prevailed as the municipal representatives took the oath or affirmation in front of the Committee.
“It was clear that the municipality did not understand how the Legislature works. The laws that we have invoked were tested in practical terms today,” said Hon. Chauke.
The municipality was then given seven working days to come back and respond to questions raised by the Legislature with regards to its audit outcomes for 2011/12.
“We have also agreed that moving forward, we will build a working relationship between the Legislature and local municipalities as this is key to service delivery,” said Hon. Chauke.
The meeting was also attended by the Auditor-General’s office (AG), the Department of Local Government, Department of Finance, the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Traditional Affairs.
For more information contact:
Namhla Luhabe
Cell: 079 527 0628
Ratlou Local Municipality finally appears before Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA)
Province
