Addressing the House ahead of Budget Votes in Zastron on Friday, the DA’s Roy Jankielsohn and Karabo Khakhau say the state of municipalities in the province is appalling with not much progress, despite the provincial government’s interventions. 

While Jankielsohn drew attention to infights within councils and poor service delivery, Khakhau said corruption and cadre deployments in municipalities has posed major challenges, leaving residents destitute for basic municipal services. 

The EFF’s Mahlomola Majake further raised concerns over high irregular expenditure and non-compliance with tender procedures in departments. 

Delivering statements ahead of the tabling of the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs' (Destea) budget, the parties further said more needs to be done to stabilise municipalities and to address economic challenges plaguing the province. 

Meanwhile, MEC for Destea, Makalo Mohale, is expected to outline his department’s R604 million budget for the 2021/22 financial year and how he plans to address economic issues, including the high unemployment rate.

OFM News