LOUIS TRICHARDT – An expert in financial policy matters, who was on hand and ready to enlighten Council on proper tender procedures, was ordered from the Council hall during last week's retarded monthly meeting of the Makhado Municipal Council.

The meeting, which was officially scheduled for the last week of April, was earlier postponed at short notice, to accommodate a new and highly controversial decision-making process, clumsily introduced during a hastily organised special meeting.

During the special meeting uninformed councillors were obliged to push through a decision which has far- reaching consequences for their future ability to have a meaningful influence on the quality of decisions in the municipality. They had to take the decision without an opportunity to study the contents of the proposal beforehand.

This week the meeting again started late, apparently because of an impromptu amateur effort to take a group photo of councillors in the foyer of the civic centre.

In the meantime, a senior official from the international firm of auditors, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, was ready in the council hall with all the necessary equipment installed to assist Council with a presentation on Preferential Procurement.

He was present at the request of officials, who were instructed by the Speaker to arrange such a session. This was done after various councillors requested enlightenment on tender procedures. This issue has become a major cause for concern. Council's handling of various tenders has in the past caused serious questions, objections and even pending court cases.

When Council reconvened after the impromptu photo session, the representative from PriceWaterhouseCoopers was summarily ordered out of the hall.

During the course of the Council meeting blatant antagonism from certain councillors towards officials of the council once again became apparent. A lengthy debate ensued about the correctness of a verbatim rendering of discussions reflected in the minutes of the previous meeting. Councillor Musitha accused officials of deliberate, misleading and undermining actions.

Officials were defended against this attack by Cllr Marie Helm, who said these officials were highly professional and competent, with many years of experience. She said it was time that Councillors got their act together and grew up. If they do not like their actions to be reported they should not attack the officials but rather correct their own behaviour.

In the public gallery during the meeting were two visitors from China and one from Gwanda in Zimbabwe. They were welcomed by the mayor, but declined to have their photos taken after the meeting.

A motion was tabled during the meeting to establish an Agricultural and Environmental Affairs Desk in the municipality. The motion contained a detailed working document on the proposed composition and responsibilities of the proposed desk.

Council also took note of a report on the establishing, constituting and financing of a Makhado Tourism Initiative.

Council resolved that the General Fund that is utilised by the Mayor be increased by R30 000.

As a result of the Mayor's announcement that Council's funds for travelling and subsistence for the present financial year were exhausted, it was decided to limit the number of delegates to attend a Black Empowerment Conference in Somerset West.

An amount of R10 000 each were allocated to four local economic development projects in Wards 1, 34, 28 and 5.