ORANJEVILLE – Metsimaholo Local Municipality Council finally passed the 2023/2024 adjustment budget on Friday, June 30. African National Congress councilors voted in favor of adopting the budget during the council sitting in Oranjeville community hall.
Due to political instability, the municipality missed two deadlines before voting on the budget. Delivering his address on the day, Mayor Jeff Zwane emphasized that this year’s budget speaks to good governance, transparency, and accountability.
He further said the budget will address core service delivery challenges and ensure the residents of Metsimaholo receive services.The passed budget includes the municipality’s operational expenditure of R1,790 billion.
According to the mayor, total operating revenue increased by R229 million or 14.68% for the 2023/24 financial year compared to the 2022/23 adjusted budget.
In his budget presentation, Mayor Jeff Zwane said the Budget aims at fast-tracking service delivery and bringing better services for Metsimaholo residents. “The Budget also aims at not only promoting but also attracting businesses that will invest and contribute to job creation and sustainability,” he said.
Zwane emphasized that this year’s budget speaks to good governance, transparency, and accountability.
“The budget addressed core service delivery challenges and assure the residents of Metsimaholo to receive services. R30,1 million has been allocated for Road Infrastructure, and the following will be the focus resealing of roads in Sasolburg and Vaalpark, Zamdela, Deneysville, and Orangeville. New gravel roads in Zamdela Extensions, Refengkgotso, Themba Khubeka, and Metsimaholo,” he said.
R119 million has been allocated for repairs and maintenance of infrastructure. Out of that total, it will be spent as follows:
• Electricity infrastructure has been allocated R36,6 million, part of these funds will be catering for the following critical matters:
➢ Upgrading of street lighting and high mast lights, networks in Sasolburg, Deneysville and Oranjeville. ➢ Installation of High Mast lights in Themba Khubeka. ➢ Installation of diesel generators in Deneysville and Oranjeville abstractions points and WTW ➢ Fencing of Electrical Substations in Zamdela, Sasolburg, Deneysville and Oranjeville. ➢ Replacement of substation doors in all towns
• 30,1 million has been allocated for Road Infrastructure, the following will be the focus:
➢ Re-sealing of roads in Sasolburg and Vaalpark ➢ Re-sealing of roads in Zamdela ➢ Re-sealing of roads in Deneysville and Oranjeville ➢ New gravel roads in Zamdela Extensions, Refengkgotso, Themba Khubeka and Metsimaholo
Just to mention a few critical wastewater projects that the budget will cater for, they are the following:
• Themba Khubeka electrification for R29 780 000 • Oranjeville Wastewater Treatment Plant for R10 617 000 • Oranjeville water treatment plant phase 2 for R10 000 000 • Refengkgotso Wastewater Works for R9 000 000 • Construction of 2000 toilet structures Phase 1, R 12 500 000
Community services has been allocated R5 000 000 for a landfill site and R1 000 000 for a lowbed truck. An amount of R500 000 has been allocated for the Fire Department call centre system.
