DA slams Limpopo municipalities extravagant spending

Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has taken strong stance against Thabazimbi and Lephalale Municipalities for their alleged lavish spending on extravagant strategic planning sessions, while neglecting to provide essential services to struggling communities.

According to DA, the two municipalities spent staggering R665,800 on two-day retreats at high-end venues, all while residents continue to face service delivery failures and damage from recent floods.

It is alleged Thabazimbi’s planning session at the exclusive Zebula Lodge came with a hefty price tag of R251,000, despite the municipality being in debt to bulk service providers for millions.

Lephalale’s session at the lavish Palala Boutique Hotel had cost municipality a whopping R414,800 to accommodate 80 councillors and officials.

The DA has criticised this wasteful spending, with Thabazimbi’s political leader, Desiree van Der Walt MP, deciding that only one DA delegate would have attended the sessions in person to advocate for residents’ interests.

Councillor Sybil Nieuwoudt, DA Portfolio Chairperson of Governance in Lephalale, raised concerns about the expensive venues and alleged that attempts by the DA caucus to join virtually were hindered by the ANC Whip, Joseph Mashaba.

The DA emphasised these funds could have been better spent on improving community services, such as repairing potholes, addressing sewage leaks, and providing clean water.

DA has called out the ANC for what they perceive as self-serving priorities, leaving residents struggling without essential services.