Pretoria – The City of Tshwane says its participation in various intergovernmental programmes is part of its contribution to an integrated public service.
In a statement on Monday, the city thanked its Metro Police for participating in providing security for the President and the Deputy President during the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, and during the January 8 Statement rally in Mbombela.
“We take pride that our police department continues to be exposed to real life security and public order policing environment as a result of their participation in various operations as previously requested by, amongst others, the South African National Defence Force, Department of International Relations and Corporation, the Department of Arts and Culture and other public institutions for major and mega events taking place within and outside the boundaries of the city,” said City Manager Jason Ngobeni.
“We remain cognisant that it is the mandate of the SAPS to provide protection for the President, Deputy President and all ministers irrespective, including during their public engagement in their party political work, and that such mandate [continuously] requires support [from] various other security agencies in the various spheres of government,” he said.
The City Manager, as per the Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003), approved the participation and expenditure for the requested services and extended the powers of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), including the use of vehicles and carrying of firearms outside the jurisdiction of the City of Tshwane, while performing the aforementioned duties in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.
“As required by our legislation and good governance systems, the procurement process related to the associated costs of the metro police department deployment will be annexure as a note to the financial statements in terms of Section 32 (6) of the Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003) on behalf of the City Manager to Council in its next meeting.
“We regard the allegations that the expenditure as wasteful as a deliberate misleading of the public, as it is it is a matter of knowledge that a determination is provided for through the intergovernmental relations framework, and it remains the prerogative of the Accounting Officer and Executive Authority, in instance where costs for such are deemed unaffordable, to seek to full or partially recover such from agencies and public institutions to who such are rendered,” said Ngobeni.
Executive Mayor of Tshwane Kgosientso Ramokgopa said: “We will continue to support various institutions in their request for our services … and we will consider request for partnership and support for other entities in the future. It is an ethos and a responsibility which no opposition party can take away from modern government". – SAnews.gov.za
