Cogta Minister Dlamini-Zuma Proposes Local Government Should Declare Gifts Over R1K in New Code of Conduct

• Cogta minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has proposed that local government councillors should declare gifts valued over R1 000
• The new guidelines were gazetted by the minister and are open for comments from the public
• Dlamini-Zuma called for councillors to perform their duties of office in good faith, honestly and transparently

PRETORIA - The minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has proposed that local government declare gifts valued over R1 000.

The Cogta minister suggested the new guidelines when she gazetted a new code of conduct. The minister pushed the draft rules for public comment this week.

Dlamini-Zuma said there is a requirement that councillors perform office functions in good faith, honesty, and with transparency, TimesLIVE reported.

Read also

Passport prices to increase in November, Mzansi says “Who comes up with these crazy prices?”

According to Business Tech, the Cogta minister added that councillors must make a declaration to the municipal manager, which must be made on gifts received from a single source in a calendar year.

According to Dlamini-Zuma, the declaration must have a description of the gift and an in addition to the value and source of the donation.

Gifts and donations over R1 000 will be added to a designated register along with the name and address of the gifter. The relationship between the councillor and the person or organisation will also be recorded.

Cogta minister maintained that it is the responsibility of the councillor to ensure gifts over R1 000 are registered within ten working days of receipt, in addition to ensuring all recorded details are correct.

Members of the public have been invited to submit written comments on the new code of conduct before 25 October.

Read also

Sadtu goes against other public servant unions, plans to accept government's 3% wage increase offer

South Africans react to the new code of conduct

South Africans are not impressed with Dlamini-Zuma's proposed guidelines. Some believe councillors should not even be receiving gifts or donations.

Here are some comments:

@GenduToit asked:

"So, in complete contrast as to how the ANC does things then?"

@BolediTxa claimed:

"Our country's municipalities have collapsed under NDZ"

@MMtshiza said:

"Useless speech as they’ll continue stealing monies aimed at service delivery"

@peace_rab added:

"The that comes out of this thieving troll's mouth. My word"

Jacob Zuma is officially a free man, Department of Correctional Services confirms 15-month sentence is expired

In another matter, Briefly News reported that Today, Friday, 7 October, officially marks the end of former President Jacob Zuma's 15-month sentence for being in contempt of court.

Zuma was sentenced on 15 June 2021 after he failed to appear at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry on numerous occasions. On 8 July 2021, Zuma handed himself over to the police and was kept at the Estcourt Correctional Services facility, reports News24.

Source: Briefly News