The meeting between the National and Provincial Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the Greater Westonaria Concerned Residents Association (GWCRA) was adjourned due to new demands being made by the GWCRA.

This meeting follows the announcement, late last year (26 November 2013) by Minister Lechesa Tsenoli, of the intention to commission an independent investigation by a credible body, that is, the Auditor General.

Yesterday’s meeting was called to discuss the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the comprehensive forensic investigation into allegations of maladministration of the Westonaria Local Municipality and the Bekkersdal Urban Renewal Project.

The Terms of Reference were to deal with: scope of the investigation, the investigating authority, the deliverables of the investigation, stakeholder engagement and the timeframes. Further, the meeting was also meant to update the GWCRA about progress in the process towards amalgamation of Westonaria and Randfontein Local Municipalities as per decision of the Municipal Demarcation Board.

However these were not discussed as the GWCRA put new demands as pre-conditions to engage in any discussion. Their demands included; dropping criminal charges against their members who were involved in public violence and destruction to property, stopping the municipality from issuing bursaries and making further appointments of new employees.

“In order to move forward with the resolution of the Bekkersdal matter we must honestly and holistically engage without pushing for things that will only impede the process. As government, we are ready with the terms of reference and we were hoping that after today’s consultation and engagement that the investigation would commence immediately. The request to drop charges is outside of this process and resides with the police, which is another agency of government,” said Vusi Madonsela, Director-General at COGTA National.

The terms of reference document was given to the GWCRA and they requested that CoGTA considers their requests. The GWCRA and the departments agreed to adjourn the meeting pending further engagements on these requests. The meeting will sit again in the next few days.

“Whilst we are disappointed about the delay in the process, we remain committed to the process of investigating the matter and bringing finality to the challenges of Bekkersdal. We have agreed with community leaders to schedule another meeting in the next few days”, said Itumeleng Mokate, acting HOD of COGTA in Gauteng.

The association also raised the objection on the approved merger between Westonaria and Randfontein Local Municipalities. However, this process was concluded by the Municipal Demarcation Board and all interested parties were given opportunity to make submissions.