R’fontein mayor on the town’s money

Randfontein Executive Mayor Mzi Khumalo delivered the 2015 Randfontein annual budget speech.

It should be noted that Khumalo took from the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meetings, which means residents had a say in where the money goes.

“We have received an overwhelming endorsement from all the wards that the smart-meter reading system is the future for curbing electricity and water losses. In future we will communicate with society about the process that will lead to the rollout of the smart-meter reading system,” was just one of the new developments the Mayor announced in his budget speech.

The annual budget expenditure allocations included:

• R1 689 050 to construction of roads and storm-water drainage systems

• R700 000 to the maintenance of books, and tattle strips for community libraries in Wards 2, 4, 5, and 19

• R400 000 to computers for community libraries in Wards 2, 4, 5, and 19

• R1 million to procurement of new books at the Ward 19 library of Mohlakeng

• R2 million to electrical overhead networks upgrades in Wheatlands smallholdings

• R3 177 000 to maintenance of electrical components in the greater Randfontein

• R8 million to light-energy efficiency and demand-site management project

• R2 million reserved to secure pillar boxes in all wards following excessive cable theft and vandalism

• 15 000 housing units for Droogeheuwel. “A replica of the Cosmo City housing project in Randburg.” (Please can we block quote this in the paper)

• R40 500 000 to construction of the Droogeheuwel bulk water reservoir and tower

• R100 000 to fence and secure the motor-vehicle testing ground in Ward 5

• R420 544 to maintenance of parks and its beautification

• R300 000 to beautification of specific areas in our town where there is concentrated interest

• R6 million to continuation of the first phase of the Toekomsrus Sports Complex

• R14 371 450 to construction and rehabilitation of roads in both Toekomsrus and Mohlakeng

• R20 million (twenty million rand) has been reserved for the installation of the 20 MVA transformer and the switch gear

• R11 500 000 to construction of roads in Mohlakeng Extension 11

• R500 000 to replace faulty water meters

• R4 213 390 to maintain roads in greater Randfontein

• R2 098 000 for construction of storm-water drainage in greater Randfontein

• R2 million for the last phase of the Early Childhood Development Centre in Ward 15

• R250 000 for social-crime prevention

In conclusion Khumalo referred to the proposed West Rand metro as well as thanked residents for participating in the IDP.

“The creation of the metro will lead to the following benefits: increased integration across the West Rand; creating economic viability and attracting investment; economic linkages between towns, townships and urban nodes; uniformity and standardisation of service delivery as well as conceivable enhancement of the public transport system.

“We might have served an injustice to the community of greater Randfontein if we fail to acknowledge their effort to attend the recent IDP and Budget Review process. Largely we were warmly welcomed, respectfully engaged and we are confident that the relationship will endure as it is based on mutual respect.”

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Also read:

2015 SOTA: Mayor full of hope despite challenges

Westonaria SOTA: Ten-pillar programme unveiled

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