The DA has submitted a formal PAIA application requesting records containing the details of the 65 learners who received bursaries over the last three financial years.
This follows suspicions that the bursaries have been allocated through blatant favoritism and political patronage.
I also inquired whether any of the 65 learners are related to municipal officials or councillors and, if this is the case, requested that the names and nature of these relationships be disclosed.
However, I have been met with resounding silence.
Subsequently, I lodged an internal appeal based on the Information Officer’s failure to respond to our PAIA request within the prescribed 30-day period.
This non-responsiveness by a state institution is unacceptable and demonstrates a complete lack of regard for accountability. It violates the public’s right to request information held by the state.
If there is nothing to conceal, the municipality must release the records without further delay and stop hiding behind feeble excuses.
The power to change this is at the ballot box on the 4th of November, and to take up that power residents only have three days left to register to vote.