GOOD Speech by Rosa Louw,
GOOD George Municipality Councillor
28 May 2026
Note to Editor: This speech was delivered during the George Municipality Council Meeting
Honourable Speaker, on this item the Good Party records our strong objection, and we also question the role of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee in bringing this recommendation to Council.
We are dealing with approximately R69 million in irregular and wasteful expenditure. That is not an administrative error. That is money that should have delivered services to the people of George. To now be told it should simply be certified as irrecoverable and written off because “value for money was received” is unacceptable.
What concerns us even more is that MPAC, the committee mandated to hold the executive to account on behalf of Council, is supporting this write-off without first demanding full answers.
So, we ask three questions:
1. Where is the proof?
MPAC cannot support a write-off based on an assertion. Where is the independent verification that services were delivered at market value? Where is the audit trail showing that SCM was bypassed for legitimate emergency reasons? If MPAC does not have that evidence, then it should not recommend a write-off.
2. Where is the accountability?
MPAC’s job is to ensure that when public money is lost, someone is held responsible. Before we write off R69 million, Council deserves to know who authorized it, why process was ignored, and what disciplinary or
criminal steps have been taken. Approving a write-off without that information undermines MPAC’s own mandate.
3. What message does this send?
If MPAC supports writing off R69 million without consequences, we tell every official and supplier that process does not matter. That is how waste becomes culture.
The Good Party’s position is clear: We do not support this write-off.
We move that this item be referred to MPAC with clear instructions:
– Conduct a full investigation within 60 days,
– Identify responsible officials and suppliers,
– Report on recovery, disciplinary action, and criminal referrals,
– Only then return to Council with a recommendation.
Speaker, residents are already paying the price through poor services and high rates. Council and MPAC must show that we are on the side of those residents, not on the side of covering up financial mismanagement.
We cannot, and will not, support writing off R69 million without answers.
I thank you.
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