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During last week's sitting of the City of Tshwane council, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane pointed out that executive mayor, Nasiphi Moya, had missed the deadline to submit a critical financial report to council.

In terms of Section 52(d) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) the mayor must table a report on the implementation of the budget and the financial performance of the municipality before the end of the quarter. Every January, the council, halfway through its financial year also considers the in-year financial monthly budget statement for the period ending 31 December which is also a mid-year budget assessment, as prescribed in terms of Sections 71 and 72 of the MFMA.

The report keeps the council, National Treasury, Provincial Treasury and the public informed of the financial situation of the municipality, and so if the deadline for its delivery is missed without an explanation, we have reason to be worried.

The DA then pointed this out to the executive mayor in council, she falsely claimed that the report was contained in the agenda.

She did so in the presence of the Auditor-General and the Chairperson of the Audit & Performance Committee who were in the council chamber to discuss the city's annual report for the 2023/24 financial year.

To fix Moya's error, the city has arranged for the MFMA section 71 and 72 report to serve at a special council meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, 4 February 2025. This report does not meet the necessary legislation of the city rules and by-laws of how a report is to serve in council. Had the speaker of council and leader of government business heeded to my advice when I also alerted them last week Tuesday (28 January 2025) at the programming committee meeting we would not be in this quagmire.

Now, a continuation meeting is dealing with a report that was not on the initial meeting. What is even more damning is that the Section 52(d) performance report has been repeated on the agenda for the special council meeting to be held tomorrow. This is a legislated report and is welcomed by all means.  However, to request the council to concede to unaudited performance results is tantamount to fraud and corruption.

What a mess.

The DA will not be implicated in financial mismanagement and malfeasance of such grand proportions.

We acknowledge that mistakes and omissions happen in the running of a city, but to be in denial about important legislative obligations tarnishes the credibility of the mayor and her new coalition partners, and results in reputational damage to the city.

Issued by Cllr Ofentse Madzebatela - DA Tshwane Caucus Chief Whip