Latest news with #MARRC
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Msunduzi ratepayers demand investigation into Royal AM sponsorship deal
The sponsorship of Royal AM, which started in July 2023 at a cost of R9 million per annum for the municipality, was terminated by the Msunduzi council recently. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Ratepayers in Msunduzi are urging the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to expand its investigation into the municipality's decision to sponsor the Royal AM Football Club. The Msunduzi Association of Ratepayers Residents and Civics (MARRC) said the decision taken by the Msunduzi Municipality to sponsor Royal AM was irresponsible and a waste of taxpayer resources. Cogta recently announced a section 106 investigation into the municipality. The multi-million rand sponsorship, which started in July 2023 at a cost of R9 million per annum for the municipality, was terminated by the Msunduzi council recently. Royal AM was expelled from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in April after the club was placed under the control of a curator appointed by Sars. In a statement, the Msunduzi Full Council announced the termination of the Royal AM sponsorship in accordance with a contractual clause as the club was no longer in the PSL. The municipality added that this decision had no connection to any ongoing court processes and was based on the terms of the partnership agreement entered into between the municipality and the football club. Anthony Waldhausen stated that MARRC protested against both the Maritzburg United and Royal AM sponsorship deals from the outset, arguing that the funds could have been better allocated towards the maintenance and repair of the water and electricity infrastructure. 'We have a dysfunctional and financially unstable municipality, and the council's decisions in the past leave a lot to be desired and are irresponsible,' he said. 'We look forward to the MEC of Cogta's forensic investigation into Msunduzi Municipality, which will unearth more corruption, and we call on the MEC of Cogta to include investigating both Maritzburg United and Royal AM sponsorship deals as well.' ACDP councillor Rienus Niemand said his party welcomes the cancellation, stating that the entire saga has embarrassed the mayor, the council, and indeed the whole city. He said entering into a multi-million rand sponsorship arrangement for a city that is on the verge of bankruptcy was a disgrace and a reflection of poor management and governance. "The negative publicity surrounding this issue has reached the secretary-general of the ANC, who publicly stated that the mayor and his ANC minority have brought the party into disrepute. However, the process is not over, as it is crucial to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that the lost funds are returned to the city and its ratepayers. The ACDP will be at the forefront in ensuring just that. The time is right to prosecute and rid Msunduzi of corrupt and inept politicians and officials alike. It is hard to imagine a saga that has caused more damage to the reputation of the city of choice. The ACDP will ensure that heads will roll,' he said. THE MERCURY
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Msunduzi ratepayers demand action against corruption and political interference
The 2025/2026 IDP-Budget Public Consultations were held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall. Image: Msunduzi Municipality Msunduzi ratepayers believe that while the city is trying to boost tourism, political interference, corruption, and nepotism hamper progress in the functioning of the municipality. Anthony Waldhausen, the chairperson of the Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC), remarked when he provided his input during the Integrated Development Programme (IDP) draft budget consultation process held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on Saturday. The mayor, Councillor Mzimkhulu Thebolla, led engagements with stakeholders to present the draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, which is currently in the consultation stage. Thebolla encouraged residents, businesses, and stakeholders to submit their inputs and share their views on service delivery, development programmes, and projects. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ With regard to tourism, the Msunduzi Municipality (MM) is expected to create an Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) company to address the needs of property owners in its managed precincts to enhance the environment, improve property values, and attract investment. The municipality is looking to enhance the entrances to the city of Pietermaritzburg (PMB) to attract tourists. Also in the pipeline is a Pietermaritzburg Walk of Fame, where tourists will be eager to see and learn about the heroes who contributed to the liberation and freedom of South Africa and Pietermaritzburg. To promote the municipality as a smart city, the Freedom Square will offer interactions between citizens and businesses, including free Wi-fi. The MM proposes to build an Mbawula architectural installation in Langalibalele Street to honour the Struggle and triumph over the apartheid regime. Thus far, the MM has received 3,330 emailed submissions, of which 2,450 emails had the same content, which included the poor condition of the roads, tariff increases, and unchecked electricity theft for which ratepayers were unfairly penalised. Diane Chetty, a concerned resident, said businesses in the PMB CBD were closing because there was no walk-in trade due to crime. She asked the municipality to consider diverting money for the rejuvenation of Freedom Park to crime fighting. Chetty said the city infrastructure was vandalised previously, and unless crime is sorted out, future projects will also face similar challenges. Waldhausen said the MARRC supported the initiatives by the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to assist and support the Msunduzi Municipality through the premier's Msunduzi Working Group. 'The Section 106 forensic investigations into the municipality, which are long overdue, will uncover the high rate of corruption and mismanagement by most politicians and municipal staff. The budget consultations will not become a reality if we do not address the political interference and high levels of corruption,' Waldhausen said. He said the municipality needed to acknowledge MARRC submissions, otherwise there could be a legal challenge if this is not complied with, and could make the IDP and budgeting processes illegal and flawed. Waldhausen suggested that, due to the continued poor performance of municipalities, it is proposed that municipalities move towards a business approach in order to facilitate socio-economic development. 'We look forward to contributing towards a positive process that would be beneficial to all and make our city a success. The IDP can be regarded as a continuous improvement project that is primarily concerned with creating value and benefits, in the form of socio-economic development of communities. 'It is essential to track and report on progress made with the implementation of IDPs by using management tools such as the balanced scorecard," Waldhausen suggested. Anthony Waldhausen is co-founder and chairperson for the Msunduzi Association of Residents, Ratepayers and Civics (MARRC). Image: Supplied
