25 Aug 2013

Some councillors of the North East District Council (NEDC) have expressed grave concern over cases of corruption, which are said to be rampant in local authorities.

Speaking during a full council meeting in Masunga on August 22, the councillors emphasised the need to uproot corruption out of their institutions.

Cllr Matthews Robby of Ditladi implored managers across all sections to work hard to prevent corrupt practices in the departments that they head.

Mr Robby said managers should work tirelessly to monitor activities in their sections so as to be able to notice on time should anything not be done according to laid out procedures and regulations.

For his part, Cllr Moses Maloiso of Tshesebe called for the blacklisting of suppliers who after winning tenders, supply goods which do not conform to the set tender specifications.

Mr Maloiso cited an example of a supplier, who recently supplied the council with blankets for destitute persons, as one of those who ought to be blacklisted for having supplied sub-standard goods.

Such a move, Mr Maloiso noted, would send a stern warning to all who try to use under-hand tactics to get money from the council.

He observed that the issue of the supply of poor quality blankets was a clear sign that corruption was indeed rampant in local authorities, something, he said, needed to be addressed urgently.

Cllr Bakani Badziili of Siviya said there was need for instances of re-tendering to be looked into as they were likely signs of corrupt practices.

He said it was likely that some tenders were re-advertised when some preferred contractors or suppliers had failed to meet tender requirements.

Commenting on the same matter, Moroka Cllr Edward Makhumalo however underscored the need for each individual to assess whether or not they themselves were involved in corrupt practices.

Mr Makhumalo said it was corrupt for councillors to submit claims for mileage payments to the council after attending meetings when they had not used their own vehicles for their travels.

Cllr Makhumalo said some councillors hitchhike to meetings and thereafter submit claims for mileage purporting to have used their own vehicles.

On another issue, Cllr Makhumalo said although there was an increase in the total hectorage planted in the past ploughing season; it was not clear whether or not the harvest the farmers got was worth their efforts.

Information on the harvest, he observed, was necessary in light of the destruction of crops by elephants that have for some time been roaming in the district.

Meanwhile the councillor for Kalakamati, Cllr Madumela Matebu expressed concern over the bad state of some sections of the road linking Kalakamati and Zwenshambe.

Cllr Matebu called for the clearing of bushes along the said road, noting that the current situation rendered road signs invisible to motorists, which could result in road accidents.

He also called for the maintenance of internal roads in the district.

In his opening remarks, the council chairperson, Cllr City Kealotswe had decried reports of corrupt practices in local authorities and had warned perpetrators that stern measures would be taken against them for engaging in such.

Mr  Kealotswe had also expressed discontent over the bad state of link roads within the district which, he said, had not been graded since their takeover by central government in 2010. ENDS