Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Thabo Nthapo and Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP.
The mismanagement of grants has directly resulted in the prolonged suffering of the Letsemeng community. Projects that were meant to improve living conditions have been marred by inefficiencies and delays.
The electrification of 1000 houses, a project valued at R 18 million and initially slated for completion by June 2023, has now been extended for several additional months without a clear end date in sight. The lack of progress and uncertainty around project completion has left community members frustrated and disappointed.
Similarly, the second phase of the paving project in Petrusburg has faced delays due to contractor payment issues. This has not only hindered completion but also caused frustration among road users who must contend with unfinished roads.
The water treatment plant in Koffiefontein, a critical project with a budget of R 40 million, is also grappling with challenges stemming from payment issues within the municipality. This has further contributed to delays and added to the community’s distress.
The Democratic Alliance has raised the mismanagement of funds as a key concern. A critical development is the attachment of the municipality’s bank account by Eskom due to non-compliance with payment arrangements and court orders for outstanding power supply charges.
To address these pressing issues, we will take concrete actions. We will formally request the Municipal Public Accounts Committee to investigate the fund mismanagement affecting crucial projects. Furthermore, we are, urging the national treasury to ensure that funds allocated to projects are ring-fenced. This step is essential to guarantee the timely completion of projects and alleviate the suffering of our community members.