The municipal smorgasbord was filled to capacity this year with internal load-shedding, Eskom’s muscling in, water challenges, deteriorating roads, national intervention, a council getting the boot, an administrator being appointed, rates and taxes increases, municipal elections and the election of a new mayor.
A special council meeting took place at the Standerton Town Hall on Monday, November 22 at 10:00 during which Mr Louis Delani Thabethe was elected as mayor.
Section 19 of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 was adhered to.
Mr Johann Mettler, administrator, was appointed on May 28, reporting directly to cabinet after cabinet endorsed a court order and a section 139 (7) intervention followed.
Mr Mettler is a signatory on the primary bank account.
He acknowledged that availability of reliable electricity daily and energy security in the long term are huge problems.
Lekwa Municipality owes the power utility an exorbitant amount of money and an enquiry on November 11, as to the exact figure, did not yield any answer.
According to National Treasury’s report, it stood at R1,3-billion in November last year.
Standerton’s power supply is subject to the notified maximum demand of 55, affecting man and machine alike.
Eskom’s position however, is unequivocal, honour the debt.
The ruling in the Supreme Court-case of Vaal Business Chamber against Eskom will probably only be made public early next year.
Results of the elections put Lekwa Community Forum (LCF) in a strong position and showed the strength of the Freedom Front Plus in two former DA-wards.
According to Mr Mettler, plans have been put in place to increase revenue collection through a data cleansing exercise, as well as targeted debt recovery coupled with actual meter reading.
A financial recovery plan for Lekwa is mandatory, with Lekwa’s expenses increasing by 161% from 2018/2019 to 2019/2020 due to increases in employee costs, remuneration of councillors, bulk purchases, provision for bad debts and general expenses.
Mr Mettler has been doing the rounds, meeting community groups, big and organised business, Lekwa Ratepayers Association, the LED Forum, agricultural groups, state-owned entities, developers and the media.
Needless to say, protests occurred, especially the community gathering in Mbonani Mayisela Street in June, when residents, across the usual divisions, demanded service delivery.
Lekwa bought and received a new cherry picker on Wednesday, December 15 with the mayor, Mr Thabethe, municipal manager. Mr Johnny Mokgatsi, speaker, Mr Oliver Phiri and chief whip, Mr
Dumisani Msibi, present in front of the main municipal building. Â
