The governing ANC’s infighting prevented the Sedibeng District Municipality (Lesedi, Midvaal and Emfuleni) from tabling the prescribed adjustment budget to the Council on time.
In terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), the adjustment budget had to be tabled to the Council for consideration before 28 February. The deadline was, however, missed.
Problems arose when the ANC removed its Speaker, Moipone Modikeng, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development and Tourism, Lulama Gamede, from their positions.
A new Speaker has not yet been appointed, consequently, council meetings cannot lawfully proceed.
The Sedibeng District Municipality annually receives approximately R500 million in equitable share from the Gauteng provincial government, around 80% of the funds go towards salaries and employee-related costs. Meanwhile, the Municipality’s own revenue generation from licence fees and building rentals remains very limited.
Recently, the Municipality’s ability to fulfil basic obligations has declined seriously.
One of the most concerning examples is the Vereeniging Airport, for which the District Municipality is responsible. This facility is in a critical state of decay, with landing lights stolen, an unmanned control tower and even animals reportedly roaming on the runway. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has already proposed that the Airport should be closed for safety reasons until it has been properly repaired.
The District Municipality also funds four clinics in the area and operates four licensing offices on an agency basis; however, general poor management and decaying infrastructure hampers the delivery of these services.
The Freedom Front Plus requested the Mayor, Lerato Maloka, to prioritise legal compliance and residents’ interests by setting aside internal ANC differences.
FF+ Manifesto on Healthcare reform: Improving the quality of healthcare.
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Y\’know, I could have sworn South Africa had apartheid.
Is this the Mandela Effect?
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Fun South African Fact: While the country only covers 1% of the Earth’s land surface, South Africa boasts 10% of the world’s bird, fish and plant species as well as 6% of its mammal and reptile species!