Statement by Ald Cilliers Brink – DA Tshwane Mayoral Candidate:
- The DA opposes the proposed write-off of more than R176 million in irregular expenditure.
- Two forensic reports recommend recovery and disciplinary action against responsible officials.
- Tshwane residents should not bear the cost of municipal negligence.
The ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition in Tshwane wants Council to write off more than R176 million in irregular expenditure, despite two forensic reports recommending recovery and disciplinary action against responsible officials.
The reports deal with amounts of R163,430,350.99 and R12,678,488.82, respectively. According to the reports, the Bid Evaluation Committee was negligent, and recovery of the expenditure was recommended.
Yet the coalition majority in MPAC wants these amounts declared irrecoverable and written off.
This is not consequence management.
The coalition cannot demand that residents pay every cent they owe the City, disconnect households and businesses, and impose additional charges such as the cleansing levy, while seeking to write off R176 million linked to official negligence.
If forensic investigators say the money must be recovered, the City should pursue recovery and hold those responsible accountable.
The DA therefore opposes the write-off and calls for the forensic recommendations to be implemented, including recovery and disciplinary action.
Writing off R176 million without pursuing recovery leaves less money for reliable services and infrastructure that local businesses need to sustain and create jobs.
If elected, I will act on our manifesto commitment that poor audit findings will no longer be ignored; they will carry consequences for the individuals concerned. We will pursue recovery of the money and hold responsible officials accountable.
Tshwane residents should not have to pay the price for failures inside their municipality.
The DA’s objection and dissent have been formally recorded.
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