Dark festive season looms due to a lack of service delivery in Mogalakwena Municipality
Andy Goetsch, President of the Mokopane Chamber of Business, claims the municipality doesn't repair traffic lights, street lights or potholes thanks to a host of vacancies at the local municipality.
MOKOPANE – “This is due to the fact that many core managerial posts at the municipality remain vacant. Some of the more key posts that have remained open since August and September 2017 include that of chief financial officer, technical manager and corporate manager. This has happened as the people appointed in ‘acting’ positions’ terms have lapsed without being renewed or permanent people appointed. An acting municipal manager was appointed on a three-month contract and his contract will also lapse soon. This could lead to more disruptions to the basic functions of the municipality being fulfilled,” says Goetsch.
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The Chamber, led by Goetsch, has been requesting meetings with the municipal manager and mayor for many months to discuss these problems.
“Dates and times for meetings are agreed to, but when we arrive, the responsible person does not attend.”
Requests for meetings remain unanswered.
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The Chamber’s regular tour around town with the municipality’s management has also been cancelled and the municipality doesn’t respond to requests for a new date, Goetsch says.
“A sub-contractor working on the new sewage plant, a multi-million Rand project much needed for the town, has come to a standstill.
“We were told that the main contractor has not been paid for four months. He, in turn, has not been able to pay his sub-contractors. The main contractor has packed up and left the site due to non-payment by the municipality. Who is going to finish this project and at what extra costs to us rate payers of Mogalakwena Municipality?”
Goetsch explained that due to vacancies in key municipal positions, authorisation of any new work or payments for work done is not able to be processed.
“As a result everything is at a standstill. “We are not sure whether Eskom is being paid either. If not, Mokopane will run into similar problems as other municipalities where residents will be paying for electricity that in turn is not paid over to Eskom. This could result in load shedding which will have a negative impact on business and the community.”
Goetsch says the Chamber has sought legal advice.
Malesela Selokela, Head of Communications at the municipality, did not respond to Bosveld’s enquiries for comment.
redakteur.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
