Mayor of Standerton holds press briefing
He gave a summary of the most important issues that residents identified at the meetings, beginning with proper roads, clean, reliable water, reliable electricity, employment opportunities, skills development, recreational facilities and educational facilities.
IDP-consultation meetings in the Lekwa Municipality have been largely satisfactory.
This is the opinion of the executive mayor, Louis Delani Thabethe.
The Standerton Advertiser met with the mayor on Tuesday, May 24 at 12:30 who said it was the first time productive meetings were held with the residents of Ward 4 and Ward 10, via Zoom.
“It was productive and progressive,” Thabethe commented.
“Community meetings in different wards differ and important issues were raised.”
According to him, people in the broader community agree on one subject.
“They all want services as of yesterday, but do understand Lekwa’s situation that some of it will take time to accomplish.”
He gave a summary of the most important issues that residents identified at the meetings, beginning with proper roads, clean, reliable water, reliable electricity, employment opportunities, skills development, recreational facilities and educational facilities.
“People in rural areas want to expand and need more land for their stock as well.”
Thabethe also said the majority of people need houses and indicated that meetings will be held with regard to RDP-houses in Ext 8.
The Department of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga will come on board to assist with those locals who feel they were robbed of housing.
A programme will be implemented and affidavits can be made at the police.
He mentioned revenue enhancement as part of the Financial Recovery Plan and singled out two creditors, the Department of Water and Sanitation and Sars.
According to him, the receiver of revenue debited the Lekwa-account with R20m which was earmarked as national government’s Municipal Infrastructure Grant. (MIG)
“We have a repayment plan with Sars and the debt is down from R102m to R44m.
“They have assured us that the Lekwa-account will no longer be attached.”
The protests on the R23 were discussed as well.
With regard to Vodacom, RDP, Mahala Park and a part of Shivovo, a direct line will be installed to supply power to residents.
A cable was damaged in 2015 and not replaced.
The ‘bogrondse lyn” that supplies electricity to Azalea was an attempt to solve the problem, and it was then connected to other areas and overloading was the result.
A permanent solution is now in the offing.
The press briefing was concluded by a reference to bridged and faulty meters that will be installed.
