A question for oral reply in the House brought the wrath of the Legislature on the MEC for Local Government recently after DA MPL Veliswa Mvenya exposed the shocking misuse of public funds by the already cash-strapped King Sabata Dalinyebo Municipality.

In replying to the question from Mvenya, MEC Sicelo Gqobana had to admit to the house that the KSD had spent nearly R400 000 on a ceremony to switch on Christmas lights.

Gqobana was openly jeered by members of all parties when he made the revelation.

Commenting in the Daily Dispatch on the lavish event, which included R90 000 for a tree and lights and R269 000 for catering and transport, Nafcoc general secretary Andile Nontso wanted to know how many potholes could have been fixed instead “with such a lot of money”.

Mvenya added that KDS should have used the money to sort out the problems in power supply in the municipality.