By Obakeng Maje
The Democratic Alliance has resumed control of Tlokwe municipality and this came after the failure of former Mayor Maphetle Maphetle to deal with damning forensic audit findings of corruption.
The DA commissioned the forensic audit as part of the party’s campaign against corruption during their recent period in charge of the municipality.
Today 29 councillors from all parties including the ANC voted unanimously to return the DA’s Annette Combrink to the position of Mayor.
The DA welcomes this united front against corruption in the municipality.
“The DA is the only political force that can bring stability to the municipality given the severe divisions within the ANC. We will now act immediately to deal with key delivery issues such as housing which is being affected by unsafe dolomite rocks beneath the surface threatening to collapse and endanger residents” DA Chris Hattingh said.
“We will also continue the project of making communities safer through a 24 hour safety service” Hattingh said.
Importantly, we will fill all vacant positions with officials committed to delivery in Tlokwe said Democratic Alliance said.
DA said a mayoral committee was appointed within minutes by Mayor Combrink, something the ANC failed to do in 3 months of office.
They said we will also act to deal with corruption given that the forensic audit commissioned by the DA found that –
• Former Mayor Maphetle fraudulently siphoned R300 000 from the municipality’s Poverty Relief Fund to sponsor a jazz festival.
• Fraudulent transactions took place involving more than R3,2million tax payers funds relating to shares in the Mooiriver Mall.
• Abuse of the Disaster Management Fund by Mayor Maphetle
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