Note to Editors: Please find a soundbite in English from DA MPL, Kingsol Chabalala here.
Despite the MEC for Finance, Lebogang Maile announcing that the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) is bankrupt they are spending millions of rands on overtime payments. It is high time that the Gauteng Provincial Government steps in and ensures that those who are responsible for the mismanagement of ELM’s finances are held to account. Over the last five financial years R561,135,794.49 has been spent on overtime
According to a reply received from the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, the department has spent the following on overtime since the 2019/2020 financial year:
• 2019/2020- R91,695,761.49
• 202/2021- R102,696,271.00
• 2021/2022- R124,489,336.00
• 2022/2023- R120,129,628.00
• 2023/2024- R122,124,798.00
Even during the Covid period millions of rands were spent on overtime yet no employees were going to work. While exorbitant amounts are spent on overtime, outside service providers are also paid to do the same work all this while the residents in ELM receive no services at all. Late last year the MEC revealed that over R129 million was paid to external service providers for refuse removal.
The only ones who are suffering due to this gross mismanagement are the residents of ELM. They deserve to receive proper service delivery.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to put pressure on MEC Mamabolo to ensure that the employees tasked with providing services do so and do not claim overtime.
A DA-led provincial government in Gauteng would ensure that all employees at ELM do not unduly claim overtime by immediately conducting an audit.
In addition, we will provide the necessary guidance and support needed to turn this municipality around through the COGTA department and ensure the residents receive services.