NCOP satisfied with Mopani’s progress

THE Mopani district was haunted by poor performance during a visit by members of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to Giyani last Wednesday, to assess service delivery in the district.

A series of questions were raised with regard to various services including the supply of water.

One of the damning revelations heard by the NCOP was that the South African Local Government Association (Salga) report regarding the finances of municipalities depicted Mopani as the worst performing district municipality, together with the local municipalities resorting under it.

ANC provincial executive member, Soviet Lekganyane, said according to the report these municipalities’ performance was very bad.

“The district has been disclaimed twice in a row,” he said, adding that another problem was that the position of chief financial officer (CFO) had remained unfilled for two years.

NCOP Limpopo deputy speaker, Lehlogonolo Masoga, questioned what it meant that the district’s water authority had been withdrawn by the minister of water affairs.

In response, Mopani district mayor, Nkankareng Rakgoale, said the district was still in charge, and that Lepelle Northern Water was only helping to manage the water. “What she said (the minister) is that she was providing capacity to us in order for the district to be able to accelerate its water projects,” she said.

“On the issue of a CFO, the whole process of appointing a CFO was delayed,” she said adding that the district would ensure the post was filled as soon as possible.

Dr Hunadi Mateme, who was leading the NCOP’s visit in Giyani, said she was satisfied with the overall progress in the district.

“So far we’re pleased with what we found, especially with the progress in Muyexe village. We have seen that the government has worked there. What is still a challenge is water, which we think is going to be corrected soon,” she said.

DA Limpopo member of legislature, Bodlani Langa, said the DA would closely monitor the water progress in Mopani.

“We were told that the water projects in Giyani are near completion, but we will not be content with just that, we will monitor everything to ensure communities that don’t have water get water as soon as possible,” he said.