Cogta
Contralesa slams 'inconsiderate' Cogta deputy minister over initiation stance
The traditional practice has been suspended since the country went into lockdown in March.
That means the municipality could be in violation of the Municipal Systems Act, which states that excess staff should not surpass 21.
Revelations include failure to follow adequate procurement processes in the awarding of tenders, nepotism and paying suppliers for incomplete work.
However, all these sectors still have to wait for sector-specific safety protocols that are yet to be published by government.
Several municipalities are now finding it increasingly difficult to deliver water, sanitation and electricity to communities amid the outbreak due to pre-existing constraints, largely due to corruption and maladministration.
Tshwane was officially placed under administration after the decision was endorsed by the National Council of Provinces and Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Vimba is expected to appear in court in East London on Monday.
The minister said failures of local government were an indictment on all spheres of governance.
At least 18 initiates have died and about a hundred have been rescued from bogus schools this season.
Cogta said a warning had been sent out to the public last Thursday about the heavy rains which began on Sunday.
Minister Zweli Mkhize said the debt continues to grow due to accruing interest and the failure to service arrears.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with illegal practices since the start of the summer initiation season.
Cogta says most of the deaths were because of dehydration, septicaemia and one initiate allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself.
Minister Mkhize’s visit in line with Constitutional responsibility to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities.
Cogta’s provincial spokesperson Mamkeli Ngam says arrests have been made in some areas in connection with illegal initiation practices.
The declaration was made in March due to the crippling drought that hit the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.
Zweli Mkhize says 27 district municipalities and a total of 55 municipalities are in distress, while 7% of the country’s municipalities are considered to be functioning properly.