IFP rejects proposed Heroes Acre project

THE IFP says the planned construction of a Heroes Acre at the eSikhaleni cemetery is a waste of taxpayers’ money.

IFP chairperson in the uMhlathuze constituency, Xolani Ngwezi, said it is strange that the uMhlathuze Municipality is pushing to build a Heroes Acre against the backdrop of poor service delivery.

Addressing a media briefing at their Empangeni offices on Tuesday, Ngwezi said his party finds it difficult to support such an initiative while residents were struggling to access clean water, proper roads and housing.

‘This project is not part of the integrated development plan (IDP) and the public has not been consulted.

‘Also, we want to know who qualifies to be called a hero, and where are they going to find the budget for this?’

Ngwezi also expressed his dismay at the findings of a R10-million overtime scandal, since some departments refused to work with investigators.

‘We have been vocal about this both inside and outside the council. The findings highlight a number of administrative mistakes which should have been avoided.

‘Units such as the Protection Services Department refused to provide investigators with required documents.

‘It is a shame that Mayor Mdu Mhlongo failed to lead by example on this issue. We agree with the proposal that the misused funds need to be recovered and demand to know who authorised the fraudulent overtime payments. ‘The municipal manager needs to account to the council and the public for his gross oversight. As the IFP we have decided to write to the office of the Public Protector, asking her to launch a full scale investigation as we strongly believe there are many irregularities that we have not spotted.’

City Communications Manager, Mdu Ncalane, said the IFP and other political parties were part of the council proceedings when the city proposed the construction of a Heroes Acre. He said they also attended a meeting where it was decided to benchmark the project against other cities on how such a project was constructed, managed and maintained.

‘During the meeting it was further agreed that the procedure to identify eminent persons who will be laid to rest in the Heroes Acre will go through a council policy process which will involve all councillors.

‘It is therefore disingenuous of the IFP to suggest that the project is an ANC project,’ Ncalane said.

‘The council as well as the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) has tasked the Municipal Manager to thoroughly investigate the issue of overtime, which was identified in the last financial year.’