Some councillors in the City of Tshwane have been slammed for failing to lead by example after they were found to be collectively owing the metro more than R2 million for defaulting on municipal rates and services.
The financial troubles of councillors with the municipality was highlighted during an ordinary council sitting on Friday at Tshwane House. Calls were made for disciplinary action to be taken against them for breaking councillors’ codes of conduct.
EFF councillor Ngoako Seanego said his party condemned the behaviour of irresponsible councillors neglecting their duty to pay for municipal services.
He said such behaviour had since led defaulters collectively saddled with outstanding debts amounting to R2 548 446.78 as of March 2024.
“It is unacceptable that elected officials trusted with serving the interest of their constituencies are failing to uphold their financial obligations to the municipality. This does not only reflect poorly on their integrity, but also undermines the essential services that the municipality provides to residents,” Seanego said.
He stressed that councillors were duty-bound to lead by example and abide by the same standards they set for communities.
He called on those with arrears to take immediate steps to rectify them by honouring their financial responsibilities.
“Failure to do so, not only violates their code of conduct, but also erodes public trust in the capacity of councillors to govern effectively,” he said.
He also expressed disappointment at the DA-led administration for its failure to address the problem effectively and hold councillors accountable.
“We urge swift action to be taken in line with the code of conduct, including the deduction of arrears from councillors’ salaries where necessary. We support a call for a monthly report to be submitted to the mayoral committee,” he said.
Finance MMC Jacqui Uys said councillors had received similar treatment given to other residents whose accounts were in arrears and who were subsequently disconnected from the power grid.
“Councillors' electricity has been cut. We have even removed illegal connections from certain councillors' properties. There is a little issue of a councillor who doesn’t know the deed of his house, which is also being investigated,” she said.
She said it was important for the City’s mayoral committee to bring before council the report on status of councillors’ municipal services accounts to request those responsible to implement councillors’ code of conduct to do so.
Councillor Abbiot Sebola said: “Councillors who fail to pay their municipal accounts for 90 days or more are in violation of municipal regulations and codes of conduct.”
He added that councillors with outstanding municipal accounts beyond 90 days were at risk of disciplinary action, which includes possible suspension, fines or other penalties as prescribed by municipal rules and regulations.
“Councillors are expected to lead by example as public representatives; they are held to higher standards of accountability,” he said.
Pretoria News