27 PA's for 27 councillors: Is this for real? 

Emnambithi councillors in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) have voted to give themselves a 10% salary increase and 27 personal assistants for 27 ward councillors. 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Emnambithi are running a local awareness campaign this week to build opposition to the R13.5 million bill for councillor benefits contained in the new budget passed by the ANC-majority council for Ladysmith and surrounding villages. 

The council also budgeted R51 million for vehicles - enough for a fleet of luxury cars or around 300 Bantam bakkies.

To fund these expenses, the council plans to up electricity by 11%, rates by 10% and increase refuse removal and property taxes. DA councillors voted against the budget and will reject all benefits offered.

Around a third of households in the municipality do not have flushing toilets or water connections according to StatsSA estimates. 

Life is tough for many people and the area desperately needs a municipality that is able to attract business and create jobs. Instead, councillors seem more interested in becoming local celebrities as opposed to delivering services.

This is the difference between the ANC and the DA in government. Where we govern, we cut the expenses and push money toward delivery. We get towns and cities working. Where the ANC governs, councillors live the high life while people suffer.

The DA is submitting a formal request in parliament today for the Minister to present nation-wide information on increases to councillor benefits for the new financial year to the Cooperative Governance committee. 

It is clear that the authorities need to cast a critical eye over what councillors in our municipalities are cooking up before it's too late to stop the party with the public purse.

Statement issued by John Steenhuisen MP, DA Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, June 1 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter