Parliament, Thursday, 30 April 2020 – The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs today received a briefing from the Department of Cooperative Governance on the announcement of the R20 billion additional funding by President to municipalities to cushion the impact of Covid-19.
The Department made unclear explanation to the committee on where this funding will be used. The committee is of the strong view that this money should be used for its intended purpose which is for the benefit of communities, and not for the payment of salaries or to finance municipal debt.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Faith Muthambi told the department that measures of accountability must be put in place for that additional R20 billion. The committee has tasked the department to prepare a comprehensive plan which will clearly indicate how the money would be used.
As the department is expected to present its strategic and annual performance plans and budget to the committee by now, for the approval of its budget allocation by the National Assembly, the committee has requested the department to brief the committee on those plans next week.
After the committee heard allegations that not all municipal councils are sitting, it has recommended that virtual meetings must be held in those municipalities where the meetings do not take place, and the department must account to the committee in instances where this is not happening.
Ms Muthambi said that all the municipal buildings, and offices including council chambers must be sanitised before reopening.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COGTA, MS FAITH MUTHAMBI.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 2239
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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