The Merafong City Local Municipality’s financial management is back in the spotlight following a political party expressing outrage over the huge outstanding municipal account of one of Carletonville’s best-known sporting facilities.

ActionSA in Merafong this week called for an immediate investigation into the Carletonville Skydiving Centre and revealed that this facility owes the Merafong City Local Municipality more than R400 000.
“Despite this substantial debt, the facility continues to receive uninterrupted services, a privilege that stands in stark contrast to the aggressive disconnections faced by ordinary residents and struggling small businesses across the municipality,” said ActionSA’s Merafong Regional Chairperson Vusi Mcunana.

Because of this, the party is now demanding a comprehensive forensic audit into the billing and payment history of the skydiving centre.

“The Carletonville Skydiving Centre has operated in the town for decades under a historic arrangement linked to the original transfer and intended public value of the property. In practical terms, this included the Centre maintaining the runway and related infrastructure at its own cost while making it available for broader community benefit. For many years, under successive municipal administrations, the property was not billed in the same manner as ordinary rateable properties, which reflects that long-standing understanding.

More recently, following changes within the municipality, a different billing approach was introduced. However, even these newer bills are partial in nature and do not include standard utility charges. This suggests a classification or administrative misunderstanding rather than a simple non-payment issue. We are already in ongoing, constructive discussions with the municipality to clarify and regularize the matter.

It is also important to recognize that the Centre is a longstanding local asset.

It attracts visitors to Carletonville, supports nearby businesses and provised employment and income opportunities for local residents – including people from economically vulnerable households. For a number of families, the Centre represents a real source of livelihood.

Given this history and the fact that the matter is already being addressed though the appropriate channels, a premature or simplified public narrative risks misrepresenting a complex administrative issue and unfairly harming a local institution that contributes positively to the town.”

The Herald asked the municipality for clarity on the issues on Monday.

The municipality’s marketing and communications manager, Temba Fezani, responded to the Herald on the matter on Tuesday.

“The Johannesburg Skydiving Club is located on a farm portion where electricity is directly supplied by Eskom, the municipality only charges the club property rates,” he said.