By: Gayton McKenzie
According to a News24 Article dated 31 May 2022 SACP/ANC member Mawonga Furmen made several ignorant statements in a letter to the Speaker of the Central Karoo District municipality alleging that Executive Mayor Gayton McKenzie had ignored the Municipal Finance Management Act and failed to follow proper processes. This is factually incorrect and it is shame that the Mayor even has to respond to these false allegations.
For the sake of context, Ex-Councillor Mawonga Furmen was removed as a Councilor of Beaufort West Municipality after he was found guilty of corruption and misappropriation of Municipal funds by a Court of law. The Mayor has been informed that Mr Furmen himself owes the municipality over R150’000-00 in rates and taxes. The Mayor has notified Ex-Councilor Mr Furmen that he must pay the Municipality what he owes. Mr Furmen and some other current Councilors in the Central Karoo District Council have not paid their rates and taxes in the amount of over R1’000’000-00 while taking decisions in Council to cut the power and the water of grandmothers in the District. Mr Furmen and some of the other Councillors who have this culture of not paying rates and taxes have been given notice by the Mayor that they must pay their rates and taxes or else he will unleash the full might of the law upon them.
The Mayor became aware of the letter addressed to the Speaker by ex-councilor Furmen and responded fully to his allegations in a letter that was quoted in the News24 Article. The Mayor made it clear that permission had been given in Council for the fundraising exercise and the reasons for the fundraising exercise were fully disclosed. The Fundraising events were not a secret. It was made public, and the full Council has been aware of the fundraising at all material times. The implication that there has been some sort of non-compliance is laughable.
The Central Karoo District passed a resolution authorising the raising of funds and further resolved that the funds must be held in a trust account and that all funds must be accounted for to the Mayoral Committee and the District Coordinating Forum.
It is important to note that the MFMA applies to the administration of Public Funds. The letter by Mr Furmen is extremely premature and dishonest. The Council approved the fundraising and the management of the funds. The News24 article implies non-compliance but this is impossible as the process is 100% in line with the Council resolution.
News24 published an article relying on a letter written by a man who is going to be prosecuted by the Municipality for non-payment of his rates and for his corruption.
The Mayor welcomes the opportunity to present to the IEC on this issue and finds it rather ironic that the DA Councilor feels that it is against the rules of the Electoral Commission code of conduct to deliver services to the people. The allegations are rejected with the contempt that they deserve and the Mayor wishes to make it clear that he will not be deterred from serving the needs of the people by empty threats and he will ensure that the principles of the MFMA are properly applied at all material times.
*Gayton McKenzie is the President of the Patriotic Alliance and the Executive Mayor of Central Karoo District municipality
My pres leading by example
Daai ex counselor moet mang hulle is coruped en sleg teenoor hulle eie mense charge hom hy moet all daai agterstalige gelde betaal 😏
The three most important ways to lead is by example … by example … by example. – Author: Albert Schweizer
Can they freeze there assets
And if they have any money invested foreign countries?
I think the municipality should issue “Letters of demand” to that particular councilors. Should they not pay enters into amicable agreement with the municipality to pay, then the municipality must sequestrate them…