The municipality administrator says the political games are disheartening.
CAPE TOWN – The Oudtshoorn Municipality administrator claims political parties are standing in the way of progress.
An independent report, released over the weekend, claims a study found that water flowing from the Oudtshoorn sewage plant shows E.coli levels are 24 times over the allowed limit.
Kam Chetty was appointed to take control of the municipality three months ago after it was placed under administration due to rampant mismanagement.
In a statement, Chetty says he and his team have been continuously harassed by groups looking to discourage the administration process.
He adds the issues facing Oudtshoorn are too delicate to be used for party political agendas.
Municipal spokesperson Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe says the political games are disheartening.
“Not so long ago the same administrator was called a DA agent, apparently by the ANC and now the DA calls him an ANC administrator.”
Mangqwengqwe explains residents have backed the administrator’s recovery plan.
Meanwhile, Chetty has done away with discretionary funds for officialsas he looks to stabilise the town’s financial books.
The Southern Cape Town owes millions of rand in debt after its council was thrown into a dysfunctional state for two-years as a result of political squabbling.
Mangqwengqwe said Chetty and his team have developed a financial recovery plan.
“This looks at all discretionary expenditure, regular rising procurement and irregular past practices. There is a team appointed from the national and provincial government. An acting CFO appointed and a technical director have also been appointed.”
