Secunda residents talk about municipality at AfriForum meeting

SECUNDA – AfriForum held its monthly meeting on Monday 9 November to discuss upcoming events as well as projects they have been doing in and around the Secunda area.

Ms Ciska Jordaan, DA Mpumalanga deputy chairperson, also attended the meeting to bring clarity to residents who did not understand fully as to why GMM has been placed under administration.

She also highlighted the fact that the mayor resigned and her committee was dissolved and that the municipality is not in a good way with regards to investigations finding corruption, nepotism, maladministration but to name a few.

The mayor, high ranking officials and politicians are allegedly implicated in the report on a forensic investigation conducted by the Department of Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA).

The DA also approached the Hawks. They will be conducting their own investigation.

“We have been warned that it may take a bit of time before any arrests are made,” said Ms Jordaan.

She also spoke of GMM being placed under a six-month administration.

“We will not have a mayor or committee for the next six months.

“The provincial legislature will be sending a representative to take over the day to day running of the municipality.”

She also highlighted the suspension of the municipal manager and CFO.

According to Ms Jordaan, a huge amount of money was paid towards the debt of Eskom and Rand Water in September.

She said R32-million was paid to Rand Water, leaving the outstanding amount of debt at R325-million.

Eskom is said to have received R132-million but this barely makes a dent in the R2.12-billion remaining debt.

She also said a huge concern is the weakening infrastructure of pipes and electrical infrastructure costing huge amounts in repairs and replacing.

“Although we are still experiencing bad service delivery here on the ground, things are looking a bit better where persons are being held accountable for their actions.

“There is an intervention in our municipality from a provincial level which is what we have been hoping for.

“Only time will tell if this will render positive results with regards to service delivery,” ended Ms Jordaan.

The evening continued with discussions of projects seeing completion such as the Visser houses in Trichardt.

Two houses sustained damage to the roof after a severe storm.

With contributions from the community, AfriForum helped repair both roofs.

Davies Court had also seen repair work done to a flat and roof.

Other projects also successfully completed were the closing up of potholes in parts of Secunda and Evander.

There will be more closing up of potholes as and when tar is made available.

The AfriForum year-end function will be held on 28 November.

Members are reminded that the next meeting will be held on 14 December.

The community is welcome to attend.