Residents comment on R827 million IDP/Budget

AbaQulusi Local Municipality kicked off the IDP/budget roadshows on Monday last week. Mayor Maphisa will be giving a breakdown of what can be expected in the next financial year, which begins on July 1.

The mayor is leading the roadshows, alongside Deputy Mayor Mazibuko, Speaker Khumalo, Exco members, Acting Municipal Manager Mr Landman, CFO Mr Mthembu, councillors and directors from all the departments in the municipality.

They visited different wards to address the people. On Thursday evening, the officials targeted Ward 8 and 9 in Vryheid Library Hall. Cllr Magda Viktor from Ward 9 commented on the visit by saying, “I believe the meeting went well this time around, as there were more community members who attended, unlike before. However, I am still disappointed at how few people do attend these meetings. It was quite a robust meeting and I really hope the leadership did take in and pay attention to what the people had to say, because there is a lot of money that is put aside, for instance to fix the pool. Many people say that the money is allocated to the wrong priorities. “Why a swimming pool instead of filling up the potholes or fixing the streetlights?” was one of the questions that was asked. Residents also complained that there are not enough oversight visits and accountability. Cllr Viktor also emphasised the importance of public participation, stating that these meetings are important for people to attend because it’s part of the law and the document will not be legal if it is not approved by the public. “We, as officials, are employed by the public to serve them.”

On Friday, the speaker welcomed the residents who attended at the Bhekumthetho Hall in eMondlo under Ward 12, 17, 18 and 19. The speaker said, ‘’I want to notify you, as community members, that we are gathered because of the law. The MFMA (Municipal Finance Management Act) that says when the year is starting or ending, the mayor of the municipality will visit communities to address them about the budget and the public will have a say about the draft budget before it is implemented.’’

Mayor Maphisa said this budget is for the people and is R827 million in total. After the mayor broke down the budget to the people, residents were given a chance to comment. A man from the area commented that, ‘’I am not sure if you follow and check what you promise the people, but we have a road that was constructed way back and was not finished. Now it’s difficult for vehicles and people to use it. We have also sent our grievances in writing to the mayor and up until now, we have not received any answers. A second resident commented on electricity and potholes, asking officials to look deep and closely at the issue of electricity. “Not all residents pay and buy electricity, but all houses light up at night,” said the resident. Sibusiso Mpanza said, ‘’We are thankful to the mayor for the budget, but we have problems, as I once highlighted them with you before. The roadworks in phase 3 are very bad. We do not know if the engineer that is working on that road knows what he/she is doing, as it is affecting people’s well-being. He concluded by saying, “We would like to know if there is any official from the municipality who checks on what these appointed contractors do in our communities.” The last resident who spoke told the officials to be fair when it comes to service delivery, saying ”There are wards that are getting most of the services and some don’t. That causes conflict between the communities; we all qualify for service delivery.”

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