MBOMBELA – There are no disadvantages to the proposed amalgamation between Mbombela and Umjindi local municipalities. This was the response of premier Mr David Mabuza while answering questions during an oral reply session in legislature on Tuesday.
In February cooperative governance minister, Mr Pravin Gordhan, requested that the boundaries of dysfunctional and non-viable municipalities be redetermined. In Mpumalanga Mbombela (Nelspruit) and Umjindi (Barberton), Msukaligwa (Ermelo) and Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme (Volksrust), Lekwa (Standerton and Dipaleseng (Balfour), Steve Tshwete (Middelburg) and Emakhazeni (Belfast), and eMalahleni (Witbank) and Victor Khanye (Delmas) are to merge. Following strong opposition to the proposal in Umjindi, ANC MPL Mr Johanne Mkhatshwa, asked Mabuza to share some of the advantages.
“Over the past few years, experience has shown that some of the municipalities are battling to fulfil their legislative mandates and core functions due to a variety of constraints.”
According to Mabuza a merger would address issues like a small municipality having an inadequate tax base to fund service delivery as well as limited industrial development, administrative capacity and financial viability.
DA MPL Mr Bosman Grobler said the Municipal Demarcation Board had been unable to find scientific proof that larger municipalities operated better. Mabuza explained that it was unsustainable for the one urban ward in Umjindi to cover service delivery for the eight rural wards.
“Financial viability will be improved due to a higher grant allocation and increased capacity for planning, execution and completion of capital infrastructure projects. Redistribution of resources to the benefit of the poor as well as wider allocation of resources and taking advantage of the ‘economies of scale’ for efficient and sustainable provision of services.”
