THE Mogalakwena Municipality recently announced a budget of just over R1 billion for the 2014/15 financial year.
Out of this budget, some R722 million will be used for operational expenses, while R359 million goes towards the capital budget.
The Mogalakwena mayor, Malose William Mabuela and his executive committee members, councillors and section 56 managers consulted with residents, roleplayers and local communities and finalised the Integrated Development Programme (IDP) as well.
Mabuela said the purpose of the consultations was to fulfill the IDP legislative requirement and to keep in touch with the people on what their expectations were.
“During the consultations in all 179 villages of the Mogalakwena area, I found that the major service delivery issues that confronted the community of Mogalakwena included a shortage of water and electricity at most of the new village extensions.
“Roads and stormwater control, the installation of high mast lights, project monitoring, sanitation and allocation of RDP houses and the construction of clinics and schools are also problematic,” he said.
“We are aware that in some parts of our area there are still villages where people have to live without roads, electricity and water where there are new stands.
“Some 95% of Mogalakwena residents have made illegal water connections. That is the reason some communities sometimes go for days without water.
“Measures have been put in place to address these problems, and our water tankers are providing water to our extended villages,” he said.
He said he believed residents were aware of the millions of rands that was spent on the Olifants River water resource development project, where the municipality will source water from the Flag Boshielo Dam, which will supply the whole municipality with water.
“The water shortage will then be a thing of the past.
“There will be more mining activities in our area.
“Water is an essential need for mining and more job opportunities will be created,” he said.
He also said the municipality had budgeted R15,3 million for electrification of villages.
“Our municipal district is surrounded by mountains and this is the reason our roads are washed away by rain water.
“We are currently finalising the stormwater master plan, which will give us direction in terms of storm water control,” he said.
Mabuela said the council met with the roads and transport department and were promised that a task team that would identify provincial roads that should be tarred, would be appointed.
As a result, the road from Harry Oppenheimer to Bakenberg would be tarred and a sod-turning ceremony was conducted by roads and transport MEC, Lehlogonolo Masoga, at Pudiakgopa village recently.
“We believe that the department of cooperative governance, human settlement and traditional affairs (Coghsta) will build 700 houses in all our villages.
“On the shortage of schools and clinics, we will engage with relevant departments.”
• Shortly after the budget was announced and the IDP finalised, the North Gauteng high court ruled in favour of Coghsta to put the Mogalakwena Municipality under administration according to Section 139 (1) b of the Constitution.
