Mahikeng- MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Collen Maine has welcomed the commitment by the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Human Settlements to support the work done by the Department in rescuing ailing municipalities.

Chairperson of the Committee, Raymond Elisa, has also applauded the department for its tough stance on zero corruption in municipalities throughout.

This follows a recent report presented to the Committee on the progress registered on the Constitution’s Sections 139 and 154 interventions in Maquassi Hills, Ditsobotla, Matlosana, Madibeng, Lekwa Teemane and Ngaka Modiri Molema district and local municipalities.

When presenting the report to the Committee recently, MEC Maine said the Section 154 intervention in Maquassi Hills local municipality yielded positive result in that there exist a system to manage and monitor council resolutions and a financial recovery plan has been developed. Section 139(b) intervention at Ditsobotla local municipality resulted in all the bottle necks on service delivery issues such as water shortages, electricity connections and patching of potholes, being removed albeit shortage of funding. Matlosana local municipality was also placed under Section 139(b) in December 2014 and an Administrator and a team of officials from the Department have been deployed to rescue the situation.

“The financial position of the municipality is continuing to deteriorate as the main creditors i.e Eskom and Midvaal Company are increasing and standing at R240 million and R50 million, respectively. The debtors book stands at R1.1 billion”, he said.

MEC Maine concluded that stability has been brought to the council of Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality, albeit challenges in the administration, filling of key positions, financial recovery, quality services delivery and labour matters.
-TDN
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