Ekurhuleni Mayor Must Fire EFF MMC for Finance, Cllr Dunga
by Cllr Fana Nkosi — DA Shadow MMC for Finance in Ekurhuleni
Date: 06 February 2024
Release: Immediate
Type: Media statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Ekurhuleni demands the immediate dismissal of the EFF-appointed MMC for Finance, EPMO and ICT, Cllr Nkululeko Dunga for plunging the city into financial chaos and collapsing service delivery.
The gross incompetence displayed by MMC Dunga in occupying this crucial portfolio highlights that the EFF and ANC coalition do not care about the residents and communities of Ekurhuleni as they have systematically stripped away the City’s finances which the DA left in good standing upon being voted out by the corrupt coalition.
The MMC for Finance has the critical role of providing political guidance over the policy, budget, and financial affairs of the municipality and must ensure that the municipality complies with its legislative obligations as delegated. MMC Dunga has failed to execute his duties, which the DA has been highlighting publicly and calls for swift action against MMC Dunga by the EFF/ANC appointed puppet Mayor, Ald Sivuyile Ngodwana.
Considering the recent events regarding the Auditor-General’s report, and the complicit media statement released by the Office of the Executive Mayor which shockingly condones incompetence states: “I am fully aware of the fact that the 2022/23 audit report has still not been tabled in Council. I appreciate that the delayed delivery of the Auditor General’s report is frustrating for the work of Council.”
A statement like this by the Executive Mayor clearly indicates the deficiency of leadership in the municipality under a EFF/ANC government.
The DA is serious about holding the Dooms Day Coalition to account and has on several occasions highlighted MMC Dunga’s complete incompetence. On the 28th of September 2023, the DA tabled an urgent motion requesting a debate on the state of the City’s finances to ascertain the financial position of the City, review the City’s current financial strategy, and for a turn-around strategy to be presented in the next Ordinary Council Meeting following the debate.
At the time, the motion was tabled based on:
- The current collection rate of the City;
- The City’s cash-on-hand of R438 million (which was less than 0,13 days);
- The over R3 billion in outstanding debt owed by the City;
- The over R1.5 billion owed to Eskom;
- The outstanding payments to Rand Water amounting to R174 million, the R117 million owed to ERWAT, and R2.5 billion owed to other outsourced contractors.
The motion was debated on the 17th October 2023, and MMC Dunga has failed to present the financial sustainability plan as resolved in Council.
MMC Dunga has also been embroiled in an online political spat with the Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) around the delay of the AGSA’s Audit Report, which not only brings the City into disrepute but calls into question the independence and reputation of the AGSA as an impartial institution.
In addition, MMC Dunga also acted oblivious about the status of the AGSA’s report by stating that the late submission of the report was “politically motivated” and “tantamount to political sabotage” when he knew that the report was undergoing a dispute resolution process and had received a communication from the AGSA’s Office on the 1st of December 2023, conveying the reasons for the delay as required by law. The AGSA has since rejected the misleading statements made by Cllr. Dunga by setting the record straight on the misconceptions around the audit report.
Another concern that has been brought to our attention is the late submission of financial statements to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) within the seven (7) month period as stipulated in JSE’s Debt Listings Requirements. The announcement issued by the JSE warned holders of debt securities that the City failed to submit its financial information timeously and that the listing of the City’s debt securities and the registration of their programme memorandums (‘programme’) is under threat of suspension and possible removal.
With the unfolding of the saga around the AGSA’s report, we, the Democratic Alliance, do not have confidence in Cllr. Dunga’s capacity to hold office. The DA Ekurhuleni Caucus Leader, Ald Tania Campbell, has sent a letter to the Executive Mayor calling on him to fire MMC Dunga. Failure to do so by the EFF/ANC appointed puppet Mayor will showcase his compliance in financially crippling the City of Ekurhuleni and will indicate that he puts political patronage over the communities of Ekurhuleni.
The residents of Ekurhuleni deserve a government that is effective, transparent, accountable, and able to deliver on its promises.
Cllr Fana Nkosi
DA Shadow MMC for Finance in Ekurhuleni
063 649 7044
