CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE (COPE) in Vhembe is disappointed and saddened by the speed at which the ruling party is driving our municipalities to bankruptcy. Our municipalities are collapsing; it is very sad and embarrassing to find municipalities being in a situation where they are failing to pay the salaries of municipal employees. The Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) is in a financial crisis, and this type of a crisis is brought about by financial mismanagement from the administrative component of the municipality and lack of political leadership from the leading political component in the Municipal council. The municipal funds are for the public use and have to be managed accordingly. The municipal finance act 56 of 2003, provides very clear directions as to how the municipal money must be spent and be accounted for.
It is so disappointing that we have senior administrative and senior political office bearers in the municipality who are approving the payment of the staff salaries from (Municipal Infrastructure Grants) MIG. This is the grant meant to improve existing infrastructure and develop new ones and must only be used for such. The employees of VDM have suffered a serious financial stress because of the late payments of salaries. COPE is not happy to see municipal employees suffering in the manner that it is happening in VDM. Employees have made financial commitments with banks, car dealers, house bonds and many other institutions including buying food and paying their municipal rates and taxes. Late payments to creditors create a financial strain on the employees, because they are then forced to pay penalties for deductions that could not go through.
COPE welcomed the special investigation unit that came to Vhembe and we also have a strong feeling that the report from that unit is also of public interest. We are calling that the detailed report should be made public as the public has an interest in it. The public and the employees of Vhembe deserves better.
COPE is calling for the following.
1.     Resignation of the Executive Mayor and  Mayoral committee
2.     Restructuring of the MPAC committee
3.     Life style audit of all senior officials and senior politicians in the municipality
4.     Life style audit of all decision makers in procurement

South Africans deserve better and every cent must be accounted for.
Yours in defence of the people‘s democracy

Issued by Cope Vhembe Region