OUTA Local welcomes change at Emfuleni Municipality 

“Finally, we are beginning to see actions taken to fix the Emfuleni municipal crisis. However, we note that this a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. Over the next month we will entrench our presence to bring public oversight mech anisms and to hold local government to account going forward,” said Dr. Makhosi Khoza, Executive Director and Head of OUTA Local.

Khawe stepped down on Monday after being elected to the position of Executive Mayor only six months ago.

“As most politicians do, Khawe over promised and under delivered. Instead of falsely assuring the municipality in town council meetings, about investment seeking trips around the world, he should have knuckled down to do the difficult but necessary work of cutting wasteful expenditure and building local investor confidence,” added Dr Khoza.

OUTA Local strongly urges the Provincial Government to do what we have been calling for since April, which is to provide the public with a Financial Recovery Plan and to make available repayment plans to Eskom and Rand Water.

The Emfuleni Municipality was identified by OUTA Local as one of six municipalities in financial distress, prior to the release of the Auditor General’s annual report on Municipalities.

Over the past few months OUTA Local has engaged and sent formal communication to the MEC of CoGTA, MEC Moiloa, MEC of Finance, MEC Barbara Creecy, Executive Mayor as well as the Municipal Manager and Chief Financial Officer regarding urgent financial intervention. OUTA Local will continue to engage with these structures to ensure public funds are utilised to the benefit of all residents living in this municipality.