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Following the November 2021 municipal elections, numerous ward councillors stepped down from their respective positions. However, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) is laying out a packet of money for these officials.
During a recent Parliamentary sitting, the Democratic Alliance MP Eleanore Spies asked the Minister of CoGTA, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, whether any once-off gratuity was paid to former councillors following the 2021 local government elections.
“The purpose of my question to Minister Dlamini-Zuma, was to determine how much of the money budgeted for assisting non-returning councillors has actually been spent for that purpose”.
Democratic Alliance MP Eleanore Spies
Dlamini-Zuma highlighted that the total number of documents (individual qualifying councillor applications and consolidated worksheets) received to date totals 5 024 documents. Out of this figure, 96.1% has been paid, totalling 4 828 payments.
Additionally, Minister Dlamini-Zuma said, “The total amount paid out in gratuity to non-returning councillors amounts to R230,911,225,88.” (Just over R230 Million).
On top of this, she highlighted that the number of councillors who must still receive their gratuity is 196. Out of this figure, 112 are outstanding documents from the Municipalities and have not yet been submitted by the Department.
CoGTA highlighted that incorrect or missing SARS Tax numbers or discrepancies on start and end dates were some of the issues listed.
With CoGTA forking out tens of millions for non-returning councillors, what are your thoughts on the matter?
Share your views in the comment section below.
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