eThekwini's finance oversight committee and EXCO merger angers opposition
The decision to merge eThekwini's Finance and Procurement Committee with the Executive Committee could prove to be a struggle.
A full eThekwini Council yesterday took the decision to merge the two committees - in an effort to ensure the effective use of public funds and enhance accountability.
Opposition parties - including the DA, IFP and ACDP - opposed the move, saying many EXCO members won't have the time to scrutinise financial reports thoroughly.
Speaking yesterday at a special council meeting where she delivered her report in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act - Mayor Zandile Gumede said she would be driving and monitory the process very closely.
DA
caucus leader Zwakele Mncwango’s pleas to not dissolve this committee fell on
deaf ears.
"Please, don't do this to ratepayers, don't do this to the public. We'll never accept such recommendation where we start to drive corruption," he said.
However, the mayor assured council members that the merger would not lead to corruption.
The Finance and Procurement committee has been one of the committees that has helped to curb financial mismanagement, fraud, irregular expenditure and corruption in the municipality.