TZANEEN – A new healthcare centre is set to be established in Tzaneen, as announced during the seventh Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) Council sitting held on Thursday, May 29.

Cllr Collen Mathebula revealed that the upcoming medical facility will include specialists such as oncologists and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists. According to Mathebula, the new centre will not only benefit residents of Tzaneen but also serve surrounding Mopani areas, including Giyani, Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit, and others. He added that the project is expected to create much-needed job opportunities for locals.

However, the announcement sparked debate. Ward 15 Democratic Alliance (DA) Cllr Chrizelle Dreyer objected to the proposal, arguing that Tzaneen already has sufficient medical infrastructure.

“We have Mediclinic and the newly opened Tzaneen Health Care Hub. I understand we may lack oncologists, but another centre is unnecessary,” she said.

Despite her objections, no further opposition was raised, and the proposal for the new healthcare centre was adopted by the council.

In other council matters, chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), Ngaoko Maunatlala, provided updates on ongoing municipal projects across all 35 GTM wards. He highlighted serious delays with the Petanenge pedestrian crossing bridge, reporting that the project was only 11% complete as of MPAC’s latest site visit.

The bridge construction began on November 17, 2024, and was scheduled for completion in April 2025. With significant delays already evident, Maunatlala questioned why the contractor was allowed to continue working despite the poor progress. He called on the mayor, the speaker, the chief whip, and the head of infrastructure to visit the site themselves, and recommended that the current contractor be removed from the project.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) echoed their disappointment over the bridge delays and urged the council to take swift action.

Meanwhile, Thabo Maunatlala, speaking on behalf of Mayor Gerson Molapisane, announced that the municipality currently has R145 million in self-generated funds, which are being used to finance various development projects.

He also reported that electricity tariffs are expected to increase by 12.7% over the next three years, while sewerage charges will rise by 4.4%.

Although Molapisane was scheduled to deliver his budget speech during the council sitting, he announced that it would instead be presented on June 12.