In a show of contempt for transparency and access to information, the media was denied its usual seat in a Makhado Municipality special council meeting this week.

To make matters worse, the Council convened only to hear that the one item for discussion "Organisation: delegated powers" was to be held in abeyance until the next council meeting.

The Makhado Municipality’s 46th special council meeting on July 16 proved to be a total waste of valuable time and finances. Councillors incurred travelling expenses, paper and ink were used for the agendas, all of which can be seen as a lot of waste and pointing to inefficient organisation.

"They really wasted our time," said a councillor after the meeting.

In the light of a meeting on ‘nothing’ it was all the more a mystery why Mr Chris Kharidzha, the municipal legal advisor, requested the Zoutpansberger’s news correspondent to remove herself from her seat in the council chamber. He refused to give reasons why the media have in the past been given a seat in the chamber on the ground floor where the procedure would be audible, but was denied at this particular meeting. Neither was any explanation forthcoming from the official municipal spokesperson, Mr Peter Magwala, at the time of going to press.

The now ‘normal’ procedure of the executive committee of Council to put forth their recommendations verbally at the meetings has also been a source of criticism. This procedure does not allow any councillor to prepare properly before a meeting.

In the past, one Council meeting per month was held to attend to all matters. Currently, four council meetings per year are held, with numerous unscheduled special meetings at very short notice.

The matter that was on this week’s agenda, however, does have serious implications. If powers are delegated more and more to the executive committee and to the municipal manager and heads of departments, why would such an enormous council be needed, was a question that was raised. The council of around 80 members at R13 000 each per month, would cost the taxpayers R12.48 million per year.

"On the one hand, it is more practical for the municipality to function with more delegated powers, but on the other hand, it can pave the way for a type of executive committee where no opposition parties are allowed," said a councillor.