According to the DA’s Thabiso Mofokeng, something needs to be done urgently to ensure service delivery to communities. 

Speaking to OFM News on the state of the municipality, Mofokeng says maladministration and the high vacancy rates are among some of the issues the municipality is still grappling with. He says whilst political infights have subsided and the council is now able to reach resolutions, much still needs to be achieved. 

Mofokeng’s statement comes just two days after the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Thembeni Nxangisa, had to account for the poor state of the municipality before Members of Parliament (MPs). Nxangisa on Monday had to answer questions regarding the oversight role played by his department and why some of the intervention team members, brought in to assist the municipality, are now shortlisted for senior positions.

Mofokeng tells OFM News, following the heated meeting with MPs, it has been resolved that much support will be provided to the municipality and that the appointment of directors and other senior managers will be looked into.

Section 154(1) of the Constitution, which obligates both national and provincial governments to supervise and strengthen local governments, will be implemented. Mofokeng says the party is in support of the move and is hopeful that the state of the municipality will turn around.

OFM News has reported that the coalition-led municipality has for years made news over its political instability, financial woes, and failure to deliver services. The municipality, which serves the communities of Sasolburg and Deneysville, amongst others, has for years also drawn controversy over poor audit outcomes with the Auditor-General, listing it among Free State municipalities incurring high irregular expenditure and in need of urgent intervention.

OFM News