At last week’s Drakenstein council meeting it was reported that councillors’ total outstanding debt on 30 June amounted to R114 143, including current accounts and VAT.
This showed a huge increase in the total amount of debt incurred by them, compared to the R59 308 it stood at on 31 May.
One councillor’s debt is already in the 90-days and older section, and of the R114 143 this councillor owed a total of R41 725,44 (VAT included). According to the report the councillor’s matter was referred to the Speaker to handle in terms of the Code of Conduct for councillors.
The Code of Conduct of the Municipal Systems Act determines that a councillor may not be in arrears to the municipality for rates and service charges for a period longer than three months.
The total outstanding debt of councillors older than 30 days increased by R36 255, from R1 324 in May to R37 579 as at 30 June.
According to the information provided in council, arrangements were made with councillors with outstanding debt to comply with applicable legislation and Council’s credit control policy. It further states that deductions from councillors’ salaries, through arrangements made, amounted to R106 331 over the last 12 months.
