THE Msunduzi Municipality is unable to account for close to R70 million worth of council assets including five guns worth half a million rand.
This is according to a report tabled before the capital city's exco commitee recently.
The report relates to an annual movable assets verification process, which began on February 1 and concluded on June 30 this year, and included a physical check of all the city's movable assets at all locations within the municipality
According to the report the municipality had a total of 40 183 assets, of which 32 469 had been verified and 7 714 could not be verified.
The report said about R68.8 million worth of assets could not be verified including five firearms valued at R494 000, air conditioning equipment valued at R2.9m million, 757 cabinets and cupboards worth around R500 000, and 1 602 chairs valued at around R500 000.
Also five fire engines worth R700 000, fire equipment worth R521 000, and 327 lawnmowers worth R450 000.
Opposition parties have demanded municipal officials be held accountable for the missing assets.
DA councillor Jerome Majola said a comprehensive report detailing where the assets are and whether criminal charges have been laid was needed.
IFP councillor Thinasonke Ntombela said the value of the missing assets was “quite high and frightening” particularly the issue of the missing firearms.