Delivering the provincial 2020/21 budget, Finance MEC Gadija Brown said she is delighted there is water provision in the municipality and that they are attending to areas where there are still challenges. She told Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) an amount of R446.3 million is allocated to the Provincial Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Department to enhance service delivery and assist numerous municipalities. Brown said the budget will also go towards Operation Clean Audit Programme and establishment of water laboratories in municipalities.

“We acknowledge that there are challenges we are facing regarding water provision in various parts of the province, and we are attending to them. The premier has also during her State of the Province Address, amidst this Covid-19 pandemic, emphasised that water and electricity provision will be prioritised,” said Brown.

OFM News previously reported on red flags raised by the Auditor-General regarding Free State municipalities and how they continuously fail to produce clean audits.

In his latest report released last month, AG Kimi Makwetu indicated that there is a deliberate lack of accountability by political and administrative municipal leadership in the Free State. He said municipalities in the province do not only incur high irregular expenditure, but battles to pay service providers and deliver services to residents.

Makwetu indicated that the financial health of the province has deteriorated over the years, with more than 80% of municipalities in the province now in a dire financial state with none having produced a clean audit.

Brown, however, said they have noted the reports by the AG and are working around the clock to redress challenges at local government level.

She further announced that of the R20 billion allocated to municipalities across the country to bolster their efforts against the spread of Covid-19, Free State municipalities have been allocated an amount of R668.16 million.

OFM News