CDM consults on Draft 2018/19 IDP/Budget

Capricorn District Municipality’s (CDM) public participation process in preparation of the final approval of the 2018/19 Integrated Development Plan (IDP)/Budget, proceeded last Tuesday when the municipality consulted with sector departments and parastatals at a venue in the city. Further meetings with other stakeholders will follow in due course.
Present at the event were representatives from the National Department of Environmental Affairs, the provincial departments of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Social Development, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs and Sport, Arts and Culture, the Office of the Premier, Road Agency Limpopo and Gateway Airports Authority Limited.
CDM Municipal Manager, Nokuthula Mazimbuko presented the Draft 2018/19 IDP/Budget and explained that the municipality has a legal obligation to consult with all stakeholders before the budget and IDP is finally approved by council. Stakeholders are, for this purpose, divided into clusters to ensure that maximum consultation takes place.

Mazibuko said that CDM is financially viable and has no debt with any government utility. The municipality’s operational expenditure represents 71% of the budget of just over R1 billion, while capital expenditure is 29% of the budget. CDM was also Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts complaint on 1 July 2017 and has retained its Grade 5 status, which is determined by the municipality’s total income.
Mazibulo said that CDM’s most important challenges are insufficient bulk water supply from Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), poor performing contractors, inadequate project monitoring, non-functional completed projects, budgetary constraints, staff shortages, fleet shortages and unreliability and late payment of invoices.
The proposed interventions include engagement with LNW and Department of Water and Sanitation, imposing of penalties and termination of underperforming contractors, development of a quality assurance system, increased efforts towards cost recovery, acceleration in the filling of vacant positions, reduction of fleet downtime and centralisation of the registration point for received invoices.
In conclusion, Mazibuko said that CDM will recognise and reward good performance, not tolerate mediocrity, not be close-minded, act professionally, will not discriminate, encourage and support open and effective communication and support teamwork, collaboration and knowledge.

Story & photos: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com