Members of Parliament have expressed their displeasure at the Gauteng government’s level of representation at the start of a two-day oversight visit to the province to assess the financial health of its 11 municipalities.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), the Standing Committees on Public Accounts (Scopa), the Auditor-General, and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature are conducting a joint oversight meeting held at the Ferndale Recreation Centre in Randburg, Johannesburg.

CoGTA committee chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize took issue with Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile leaving the meeting early.

“With due respect chair, I would really apologise if they have not done that, my office sent a communique about my limitation of time this morning, not to disrespect [but] because I have to be outside of this province, we’ve lost the former deputy speaker (Uhuru Moiloa) and we must address some arrangements, my apologies if they haven’t communicated that, chair,” Lesufi said.

Mkhize interjected: “No, they haven’t. That’s fine. But let me just put one point, premier, I do understand your sense of apologies, but we are a bit concerned about the province’s level of representation.”

He said there was only one member of the provincial legislature from each of the provincial CoGTA and Scopa committees.

Additionally, Mkhize also received a note that the provincial legislature Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe was also unable to join the meeting.

“Part of the challenge we have is that issues of the municipalities require regular direct oversight by the province. I just need to record that the presence of the provincial government here is too minimal to let go without a comment, and it’s a matter of concern to us,” Mkhize stated, and excused Lesufi and Maile.

He continued: “But in general, we have not had this kind of reception in the previous provinces, and we are taking it as an issue between us and the province; we are just concerned about the province and its municipalities.”

CoGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo remained in the meeting.

The committee visited the North West earlier this week and also recently conducted oversight in the Free State. The oversight meeting continues on Friday.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za

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