FRIDAY, 10.30AM:
KWAZULU-Natal Finance MEC Ben Ngubane on Thursday told the provincial legislature that the Ulundi government is drafting legislation that will lead to department heads being jailed for spending beyond their budgets.
Ngubane said that he also intends setting up a commission of inquiry to establish the reasons for the province’s financial problems and draw up a strategy to ensure no recurrence.
Ngubane said said similar legislation is in force in Australia and is necessary for the provincial government to regain credibility. He ascribed some overspending to national government policies, but added: “This cannot be an excuse for the dereliction of duty in our government.”