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DA meets with Public Protector, requests further investigation
The problem is born of a generally poor commitment to good governance by the ANC at local government level
The DA will continue to liaise with the Public Protector and awaits the report back





Today I met with the Public Protector's office to determine what measures were being put in place to prevent the disconnection of electricity supplies by Eskom to 11 Free State Municipalities scheduled for the 20th of July. The Public Protector has assured us that it is managing the situation on behalf of those municipalities and towns affected. I have requested that the Public Protector also investigate the far more intricate matter of municipal governance in the Free State.

The DA had lodged a complaint with the Public Protector on the 7th of July, when we first learnt of the impending cut-off and which was due to ANC-run municipalities being in arrears to Eskom, in excess of R180 million.

With regard to my request for further investigation: Municipalities are obliged to pay bulk suppliers within 30 days according to provisions within the Municipal Finance Management Act. The 11 municipalities in question have failed in even the most basic provisions of local governance, one of which is ensuring the provision of basic electricity. This matter now needs to be looked into.

We need to avert these crises in the future. During the meeting today, I emphasized that there was a much deeper problem at root here and that it was not enough for only this immediate issue to be dealt with. Without addressing the underlying causes, the people of the Free State could very easily find themselves being faced with complete disconnection yet again. The problem in the Free State is systemic as the R180 million amounts owing by these municipalities is cumulative. We cannot allow ordinary South Africans to suffer as a result of incompetence and lack of care or focus at any level of government. Over a million residents face disruptions to basic services affecting all sectors including hospitals, schools and transport networks.

I believe it is no coincidence that those municipalities affected are controlled by the ANC. The ruling party has demonstrated to date a complete lack of political will when it comes to issues of good governance, accountability and transparency at municipal level. The first fault lies with those individuals ‘deployed' by the ANC to serve as their representatives in this municipality as very often, in making any given appointment, patronage and race trumped merit and expertise and thus the individuals concerned were unable to perform basic duties. The second fault lies with the national government itself which has not carried through on its promises of better municipal management through the Department of Local Governance and Traditional Affairs' much vaunted but ultimately empty Local Government Turnaround Strategy. It has been all talk, and no substance.

The Public Protector will be making a full report to me and to parliament regarding this matter. In the meantime, we in the DA will be monitoring this situation closely and liaising with residents and the Public Protector to ensure we keep the lights on.