MMC provides context after funds remark sparks outrage among city residents
Residents were up in arms over a video showing MMC for Roads and Transport Tlangi Mogale suggesting municipal funds are being redirected from suburbs to townships. While Mogale claims she was misinterpreted, frustrated residents say the city's priorities are already evident in their declining services.
Tshwane Transport MMC Tlangi Mogale has clarified statements made in a video which angered residents over funds being redirected from the suburbs to townships.
Mogale said her comments from a video taken as she was addressing residents in Olievenhoutbosch were taken out of context.
Clarifying her statements, she said funds were being taken from “unproductive projects” to fund projects that could be finished in the coming financial year.
Mogale said the money was being used where it could have “the most immediate impact”.
She explained that the funds referred to were not being taken from suburban budgets, but rather redirected from projects unlikely to be completed in the current financial year.
“There is no money that the metro is moving from the suburbs to the townships,” she said.
“The money that was used to do resurfacing in the townships is the money that we call transfer of funds.”
She added that this was why resurfacing projects have already been completed in places like Mabopane and Soshanguve.
Asked when resurfacing would take place in regions 3 and 6, which include parts of Pretoria East, Mogale said some work had previously been done in those areas.
“Also, budget limitations meant they were not included in this financial year.”
However, she assured residents that these would be included in the next financial year.
Resident Ian Fuller from Waterkloof were among those who reacted to the initial video.
“Waterkloof has had several water and electricity outages, and now the MMC says they’re redirecting the money to the townships? We’ve been wondering where our taxes are going while we are not getting services,” said Fuller.
Her said the MMC’s not trying to maintain or uplift but bringing down the value of their properties and utilities to the same level as the townships, who pay a fraction of their taxes, if they even pay.
“They bring trucks for one day, and then they leave without finishing the work. It never comes back.”
Another resident, Regina Viljoen, said she supports equal service delivery if it is fair.
“I don’t have a problem with the city if they are servicing everyone who pays rates and also helping the poor,” she said.
She said her upbringing taught her to trust action over words.
“My dad raised me with ‘Don’t tell me, show me,’ and I think that is what the residents from Hammanskraal to Centurion to Pretoria East want to tell Tshwane.
“Thank you to those who are doing their work in honesty and with skill and diligence. We appreciate you.”
DA councillor Dikeledi Selowa added to the criticism, saying the city is redirecting funds irresponsibly.
“They are deducting money from projects that are funded and starting projects that have no funding.
“Tshwane is now embarking on its small little projects to give the illusion of work happening,” she said.
She said this means there will be no projects completed, but rather putting a shovel down just for optics for elections.
Selowa added that this may lead to further incomplete projects that are not well funded.
She warned this could result in a city full of stalled initiatives.
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