North West municipalities have been faced with challenges of ageing infrastructure, vandalism, as well as ongoing electricity cuts that hurt the provision of water. Addressing Mayors, Municipal Managers, and Chief Financial Officers and other stakeholders over the weekend, North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, MEC Nono Maloyi, said the poor performance of municipalities and poor expenditure on infrastructure grants can mostly be attributed to unavailability of managers in critical positions. 

This is after stating that most municipalities in the province are unable to uphold their constitutional mandate of providing services to the communities. He maintained that constant engagement sessions will assist the department to track the performance of municipalities to provide the necessary support to ailing municipalities.

ALSO READ: North West government extends hand to collapsing municipalities

While Premier Bushy Maape revealed the government’s plans to assist collapsed municipalities earlier this year, Maloyi called on mayors to strengthen their oversight role in terms of expenditure performance on infrastructure grants and to further expedite service delivery. He also cautioned municipalities against using infrastructure grants for unintended purposes. 

OFM News previously reported the JB Marks Local Municipality in North West had confirmed that the National Treasury intends to withhold a conditional R60 million grant meant for service delivery. Municipal spokesperson, Jeanette Tshite, told OFM News the money the treasury intends to withhold is just a portion of the grant and that the municipality received a letter that highlighted only an "intention" to withhold the funds. Maloyi says grants must be used for infrastructure development such as the provision of water and sanitation, roads, and stormwater facilities, as usage of infrastructure grants for unintended purposes impacts negatively on service delivery.

ALSO READ: Grants will be spent and projects completed – Potch municipality

Meanwhile, North West Education MEC, Viola Mostumi also called for senior vacant posts to be filled in her department.

Too many acting positions costing department – North West MEC

OFM News