Logistical problems prevented the Makhado Municipality from meeting with the Chairpersons Association (CA).

The municipality was asked to comment on the fact that the CA and the top management of the municipality no longer convened.

“We did not stop convening meetings with them. Due to logistical problems of late, we could not meet with them regularly...” stated municipal spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi.

The chairperson of the CA, Mr André Naudé, said on April 2 at the organization’s AGM that they had stopped convening meetings with the municipal manager and directors.

“…we have placed it on record on numerous occasions that it costs the tax payers to get all the professional and other people at the meetings more than R150 000 in lost income and travelling costs, whilst all we hear there is sweet talk and how important we as stakeholders are ... while nothing happens,” Naudé said.

The municipality did not comment on the CA’s remarks regarding cost implications to taxpayers and empty promises made during previous meetings. The meetings between the top management of the municipality and the CA used to be scheduled in an attempt to iron out issues standing in the way of good corporate governance that would add value to the region. Naudé said in the annual report that the CA is putting up a constant fight for good governance and reconciliation.

“We are trying to enforce processes in terms of which corrupt practices should be wiped out,” Naudé said.

Bobodi stated on April 21 that the municipality is “busy planning to have the process of interacting with the CA back on track.”