The Govan Mbeki Municipality spent only 30% of its Municipal Infrastructure Grants even though they were facing incomplete road construction projects.
This was revealed by the municipality’s executive mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma.
He said the municipality has been failed by its own small and medium enterprises who were supposed to spend the grant.
“We appointed those companies to do work, but they were failing us and we were left with no option but to terminate their contracts.
“It is March now, we only spent 30% of the millions of rands in grant money from the Treasury.
Zuma said that money will be taken back.
“Our population is growing with an average of 3.3 % per annum, but we have only a 1% economic growth while we have to provide services, even to those community members who cannot afford it.
“We have to bring infrastructure that will be sustainable, regardless of the growing population.
“Our infrastructure is deteriorating.
“Small businesses are supposed to grab those opportunities and, as an emerging business person who wants to grow, you should not take the money and buy a big car after being awarded a contract,” said Zuma.
He said businesses should do the work for which they have been appointed to preserve dignity and trust in their business.
The Democratic Alliance recently tabled a motion to remove all politicians from the bid committee of the municipality.
The council still has to adopt it or reject it.
