By REGINALD KANYANE
16 April 2025- The release of the March 2025 tranche of equitable shares amounting to over R689 662 million cleared for transfer to eleven municipalities across the province was welcomed by the ANC Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Motlalepula Rosho. National Treasury had withheld the tranche payment to municipalities that owed creditors, i.e. South African Revenue Service, Pension Fund and Auditor General of South Africa over R205 369 million for persistent Non-Compliance to the Municipal Finance Management Act (MMFA).
“The withholding of equitable shares for non-compliance to the MMFA due to non-payment of third-party payments would have adversely affected service delivery across our communities hence we commend the provincial government’s urgent intervention to ensure compliance and the release of the funding critical for the provision of services.
“We highly appreciate the response tabled by the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, on behalf of the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, in response to my oral question,” said Rosho.
She commended the MECs for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi and Provincial Treasury, Kenetswe Mosenogi for ensuring that settlement agreements to reduce debts were in place and adhered to by Ditsobotla, Kgetlengrivier, Ratlou, Tswaing, Naledi, Mamusa, Lekwa Teemane, Kagisano Molopo, Maquassi Hills, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
“Implementation of revenue enhancement strategies that are complemented by prudent financial management as well as Intensified hands-on support by COGTA and Provincial Treasury will ensure that governance and service delivery are not compromised and that municipalities deliver without fail on the expectation of our communities.
“The municipalities will be able to attract investments and deliver on their development mandates when they meet their financial obligations and there is visible accelerated service delivery,” she said.
Rosho further said the households, businesses and government departments can contribute towards improving delivery of services by embracing their responsibility to pay their municipal accounts. She added that, Section 5 of the MFMA empowers the National Treasury to monitor the budget of municipalities with the MFMA and take appropriate steps if a municipality commits a breach of the act, including the stopping of funds in terms of Section 216(2) of the constitution.
The Guardian 