Maquassi Hills
13 June 2007
The North West MEC for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard
Yawa, will tomorrow, 14 June 2007, meet with the council of Maquassi Hills
Local Municipality and later with representatives of the concerned groups in an
attempt to brief them on progress that has been made in investigating
allegations of corruption within the municipality. Allegations of nepotism,
tender irregularities and the extension of the municipal manager's contract
with the municipality were among others allegations contained in a memorandum
that was presented to the then MEC for Developmental Local Government and
Housing, Phenye Vilakazi, some time in April this year.
Yawa met with the group last month in an attempt to resolve the impasse that
existed between the council and the community. The situation saw the area being
turned into a war zone and the N12 road barricaded. Last night the situation
again took a turn for the worse when two municipal offices in Lebaleng and
Tswelelang were torched. Meanwhile, MEC Yawa has strongly condemned acts of
violence and vandalism and expressed sympathy with councillors and policemen
whose houses were attacked and looted. "We had committed ourselves to report
back on the process to implement the recommendations of the commission after 14
days therefore we are extremely disappointed at the turn of events. We are
committed to work towards stabilising the situation and restoring the integrity
of council. The destruction of private and public infrastructure does not in
any way contribute to improving service delivery."
For further information, contact:
Lesiba Kgwele
Cell: 083 6291987
Issued by: Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing, North
West Provincial Government
13 June 2007
