HIGHVELD – The DA in Mpumalanga has welcomed the response of Mr Mandla Msibi, MEC of CoGTA, to the DA’s call to dissolve Govan Mbeki Municipality following several years of struggle to provide water and electricity and to deal with sewer problems.
According to Mr James Masango, DA councillor, MEC Msibi indicated that the appointment of an administrator is underway and is expected to be finalised by the end of February.
However, Mr Masango said the DA will continue to place a motion in accordance to section 34(1) of the Municipal Structures Act to have the council dissolved.
“Based on the DA’s motivation, the MEC further highlighted that the Mpumalanga Executive Council had on the 28 October 2020 resolved to intervene in the municipality in terms of section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.
“However, this is not the first time this municipality was placed under administration and nothing positive materialised.
“We have no trust in the Provincial Legislature’s intervention as it has failed in all the municipalities in Mpumalanga that had been placed under section 139(1)(b).
“All different supports and interventions from the Province have failed,” said Mr Masango. He went on saying that there is absolutely no hope of recovering as long as this bankrupt municipality is governed by the corrupt ANC.
Various residential areas such as Secunda, Trichardt, Evander, Kinross, Bethal, eMzinoni and eMbalenhle are in a mess because of service delivery issues, such as:
• Sewers overflowing and water leaks.
• No water for weeks due the low levels in the reservoir
• Electricity outages
“Every year there are talks about projects being implemented, but none of those projects have alleviated the plight of residents.
“These talked-about projects benefit a few who are connected to the ANC while the vast majority suffers,” said Mr Masango.
He said although roads are being tarred, this is just a mere campaign for the upcoming local government elections.
“Immediately after the elections, everything will come to a standstill again. We are tired and used to this strategy.
“The DA will never rest or give up until those who entrusted us and the municipality with their votes are given the services required by them,” ended Mr Masango.
