MEC Oupa Khoabane says he is aware that following the release of a report by the Auditor General on the progress of municipalities, municipalities in the province featured highly on the report with many plagued by financial troubles.

Khoabene says despite financial woes in municipalities across the province he is hopeful that the turn-around strategies implemented by his department will be able to salvage the positive outcomes.

Meanwhile, during the FS Local Government Lekgotla that got underway in Bloemfontein, mayor Olly Mlamleli told the gathering that the Mangaung Metro is owed by many of the departments in the province.

OFM News earlier today reported that Mlamleli said she is currently in talks with FS Premier Sisi Ntombela who agreed to come to the table to draw an amicable payment plan.

The high vacancy rate in key positions, increasing Eskom and Water Boards debt, as well as political interference,  are amongst some of the pressing issues still faced by municipalities in the province.

This is according to Khoabane. Speaking at the Free State Local Government summit held in Bloemfontein, Khoabane, said municipalities in the province are in dire need of better financial management plans.

This as they collectively owe Eskom and Water Boards billions. Municipalities in the province collectively owe the power utility over R6.5 billion, which is the highest amount owed by municipalities throughout the country.

These include Mafube, Masilonyana, Maluti-A-Phofung, Letsemeng, Kopanong, Mantsopa, Nketoana, Mohokare and Tokologo as they are identified as nine priority municipalities in the province battling to generate their own revenue.

Following the dispatching of a technical support team of engineers, town planners, and provincial managers to the Maluti-A-Phofung, Mafube, Masilonyana, and Letsemeng Local Municipalities in August, Khoabane, told the House that service delivery at these municipalities is improving and is hopeful much support will also be provided at other municipalities. 

OFM News