Durban – ActionSA has written to the African National Congress (ANC) in eThekwini to inquire if public funds from the municipality were going to be used to settle the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre Complex (Durban ICC) bill for the party’s recent women’s conference.
The letter addressed to KwaZulu-Natal ANC Secretary Bheki Mtolo dated 8 August 2023 is titled “Urgent request for transparency in the funding of the ANC Womens League (ANCWL) elective conference”.
ActionSA writes: “Dear Bheki Mtolo Kindly be aware that we have obtained credible information from reliable sources that have alleged that the eThekwini Metro Municipality is set to use public coffers to fund the ANC.
“As you are aware, the conference took place at the Durban ICC on the 4th and was intended to conclude on the 6th, however, it was extended for an extra day.”
ActionSA said it was giving “you and your organisation the benefit of the doubt in this regard”, and are requesting information on the following:
- How was the ANCWL conference funded?
- How much was paid towards the conference?
- If the ANC truly paid for the conference, we request that the contract between the party and the ICC be made public.
“To this end, I request that you provide me with feedback within seven days of receipt of this letter,” wrote Zwakele Mncwango ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson.
In a related development, ActionSA has also written to the eThekwini Municipality to inquire about the same matter.
ActionSA wrote: “Dear Musa Mbhele We have been made aware of allegations against the eThekwini Municipality from a reliable source revealing that the Municipality has used public coffers to fund the ANCWL Elective Conference, which took place on the 4th until the 7th August of this year.
“As the acting city manager, we are sure you understand the severity of these allegations, and the infringement it has on our Constitution and the Municipal Finance Management Act, which states that the accounting officer has a responsibility to prevent irregular expenditure, and should irregular expenditure take place, you are responsible to report it.
“Therefore, since you are the accounting officer for council funds, we are bringing these allegations to your attention, and request that you take caution to this and put a stop to the release of these funds to the ICC.”
ActionSA warned that should the City process the payment to the ICC, it will hold the acting city manager accountable, and take legal action against him.
The party requested feedback within seven days of receipt of this letter.
