Council responds to DA criticism of resort event

THE Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality has responded to the DA’s criticism over the three-day strategic planning event which was held at the Fish River Sun luxury resort recently.

The Rep reported that the DA had instructed the party’s councillors not to attend the event as it was considered to be wasteful expenditure (“DA shuns council event at resort”, November 25).

Municipal spokesman Fundile Feketshane said the rest of the council had continued with the event.

“The purpose of the session was to develop the vision, mission, values, a logo analysis, harmonisation of policies, the outline of the political objectives for 2017-22, an approach towards developing the Integrated Development Plan 2017-22, an approach towards developing the medium-term revenue and expenditure framework 2017-20, the rules of order of council and progress towards the development of the organogram,” he said.

“The municipality is in the establishment phase and it is clear to everyone that the issues being dealt with are the foundational questions, hence the decision to hold it in a place where it is habitable to engage so. This process has been budgeted for in the approved council budget of 2016-17.

“We need to state that an amalgamation is a process rather than an event, in that there are things that will be achieved in the short, mid and long term, and we shall in each phase ensure there is public participation so as to ensure that communities take part in local government.”