HIGHVELD – Residents called for the troubled Govan Mbeki Municipality to be placed under provincial administration.
They said the municipality is dysfunctional and is failing to execute and fulfill its legislative obligations.
Locals said service delivery deteriorates daily in the area, because politicians are focussing on factions and are fighting for positions.
They claimed the council has repeatedly failed to appoint a municipal manager and that this has paralyzed the administrative capacity of the municipality to manage its affairs and deliver services.
Among other issues, they are unhappy with the backlog in waste collection, the high municipal billing system, electricity problems in the area and sewage spillages.
“We cannot continue like this. This municipality is going down the drain and somebody must save it,” said Mr Collen Nkosi, a resident.
“The elderly are expected to pay high municipal rates while we know that the municipality appointed an incompetent service provider to handle the billing system.
“This has resulted in poor collection of revenue by the municipality and nobody wants to take responsibility.
“The Mafia and hitmen are running this municipality.
“We are told that some companies were paid before they even did the job. More often money is lost in this municipality and nobody is investigated.
“This municipality must be investigated and those implicated in corruption must be prosecuted.”
Mr Nkosi further called on the Legislature and the ANC to stop blaming the nine ANC ward councillors who have decided to refrain from taking part in council activities over service delivery issues in the area.
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He said the councillors are frustrated because of poor service delivery.
Businesses complained about tenders being given to outsiders and that when they challenge it, they are described as being criminals.
Mr Mdu Mahlangu, Sivukile Business Forum, said he went to Mbombela to warn the ANC of the problems in the area before the local government elections, but that he was ignored. The ANC lost seats in council.
“The province brought Mr Thisha Mhlanga, acting municipal manager in to intervene in the crisis, however he has also become part of the factions.
“Some councillors have bodyguards, something that we have never had in this municipality, and some even killed others.
“Nobody gives an explanation for the bodyguards and who is paying them.”
Mr Mahlangu said they are not given tenders because they do not want to pay bribes.
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They accused the ANC region of looting the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
Mr Vusi Shongwe, MEC of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, said the complaints were noted and the government is working towards possible solutions to the problems.
