The DA in Mpumalanga expresses concern over the worsening financial conditions in five municipalities despite intervention from the provincial Department of CoGHSTA.
Over the past six years, Emalahleni, Thaba Chweu, Govan Mbeki, Msukaligwa have been under section 139 (5) of the provincial government, while Lekwa is under section 139 (7) of national government.
Despite provincial intervention nothing has changed in these municipalities. With the worrisome financial statuses attached to these municipalities, they have equally failed to collect monies owed to them for the services that they have provided.
In 2018 the combined Eskom debt in these municipalities was at R4billion, recently it was communicated that the debt is sitting at R21,4 billion. Emalahleni and Govan Mbeki are the biggest contributors with a combined debt of R15 billion.
The DA is really concerned with the capabilities of the ANC and administrators that have been tasked with turning around these municipalities.
It must be noted that these municipalities are in breach of their obligation to provide basic services to residents.
On the basis that these municipalities are battling financially, the DA feels that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) intervention is long overdue.
With this in mind, we will write a letter to the Minister of CoGTA,Velonkosi Hlabisa, urging him to exercise the department’s mandate and offer much needed support to these municipalities and strengthen their capacity.