Local government MEC Anton Bredell\u2019s efforts to get answers about the suspicious Rugby World Cup trip of two senior officials from the embattled Theewaterskloof Municipality have been frustrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Deputy Mayor, John Michels, of the Good Party and Speaker, Derick Appel, jetted off to France in October, just in time for the Rugby World Cup final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DA\u2019s Isaac Sileku lodged a complaint with the Provincial Treasury to probe whether public funds were used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said if official visits were used as a guise to attend the Rugby World Cup it raised serious ethical and financial concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While these Theewaterskloof officials went on this jaunt many local governments in the Western Cape put viewing sites up so all residents could be included, and communities could enjoy the rugby together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sileku added that the Theewaterskloof Municipality, under its current leadership, had been marred by allegations of corruption and incompetence, leading to a decline in the delivery of essential services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is of utmost importance that public officials prioritise the needs and well-being of the citizens they represent, above all else,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC Mireille Wenger referred the probe to Bredell\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Municipal Finance Management Act does not provide powers of investigation,\u201d she responded to Sileku in a letter seen by News24.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHowever, the Provincial Treasury will be monitoring the municipality\u2019s monthly financial reports for any indicators of financial mismanagement or any possible violations of the cost containment regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bredell said the allegations surrounding the trip were concerning, and when seeking clarification the municipality was not forthcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe municipality refused to respond to the substance of the allegations, citing that they were not accountable to the Provincial Legislature,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bredell said he now intended to use his powers to launch an investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said: \u201cI, therefore, intend to initiate my powers in terms of legislation to determine whether maladministration, fraud, corruption, or any other serious malpractice has occurred or is occurring in the municipality relevant to the allegations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The municipality\u2019s spokesperson, Hugo Geldenhuys, said Michels and Appels were in the clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe municipality did a thorough research, and it is clear that no municipal funds were used for the councillors\u2019 trip to France.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The troubled municipality has, for months, been plagued by financial troubles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently, devastating floods ravaged the area, destroying roads and crucial infrastructure in the town.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Local government MEC Anton Bredell\u2019s efforts to get answers about the suspicious Rugby World Cup trip of two senior officials from the embattled Theewaterskloof Municipality have been 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