Local businesses let down by KwaDukuza council’s venue choice

Durban — Ilembe Chamber of Commerce has also expressed its disappointment at KwaDukuza Local Municipality’s decision to host its four-day conference at a cost of R1 million in another municipality.

Last week the council approved a R1.1m budget for travelling and accommodation of 130 politicians and officials to spend four days in a hotel on the Drakensberg mountains near Bergville.

The area falls under Okhahlamba Local Municipality under Uthukela District Municipality which is about 300km from KwaDukuza. The conference/lekgotla has been organised for mid-term review of the council’s strategic objective. The ANC, using its majority in the council with the help of other parties, turned down the DA and ActionSA proposal to hold the meeting locally which would have saved money for basic services.

Weighing in on the saga, the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Cobus Oelofse described the decision as lack of confidence in local businesses.

“As a Chamber of Commerce, and social partner in our region's economy it is not the Chamber's remit to question, challenge and comment on every council decision.

“Considering the public interest in the matter of the lekgotla, the budget allocated for the event, and the decision to hold the event outside our district, the Chamber would respond with a general, high-level observation that the fiscal discipline of any local council reflects on its prudence, judgment, and commitment to responsible governance.

“Trust among investors and residents alike depends on perceptions around the ability to manage resources efficiently, prioritize needs, and in this case the avoidance of headlines around financial management.

“Lastly, I need to add that there is no stronger message of business confidence than a council prioritizing its spending in its own region,” said Oelofse.

He added that the public trust and positive perceptions that will attract investors depend on transparency and confidence in council decisions. The decision was also slammed by both the DA and ActionSA and KwaDukuza Ratepayers Forum which said it was undermining local economic development.

However, the Whip of the Council, Humphrey Mbatha dismissed the concerns as cheap politics by these two parties, accusing them of grandstanding.

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