Infighting in Sedibeng District Municipality prevents timely tabling of adjustment budget
“A new Speaker has not yet been appointed, consequently, council meetings cannot lawfully proceed."
SEDIBENG.– “The governing ANC’s infighting prevented the Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) from tabling the prescribed adjustment budget to the Council on time.”
This was said by Rian Lubbe, Freedom Front Plus (Plus) Councillor in the SDM.
Lubbe revealed to Sedibeng Ster that in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), the adjustment budget had to be tabled to the Council for consideration before 28 February 28.
The deadline was, however, missed.
Problems arose, he said, when the ANC removed its Speaker, Moipone Modikeng, and the Mayoral Committee Member (MMC) for Economic Development and Tourism, Lulama Gamede, from their positions.
“A new Speaker has not yet been appointed, consequently, council meetings cannot lawfully proceed. The Sedibeng District Municipality annually receives approximately R500 million in equitable share from the Gauteng provincial government, around 80% of the funds go towards salaries and employee-related costs. Meanwhile, the Municipality’s own revenue generation from license fees and building rentals remains very limited. Recently, the Municipality’s ability to fulfil basic obligations has declined seriously,” Lubbe revealed.
He added that one of the most concerning examples is the Vereeniging Airport, for which the District Municipality is responsible.
“This facility is in a critical state of decay, with landing lights stolen, an unmanned control tower and even animals reportedly roaming on the runway. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has already proposed that the Airport should be closed for safety reasons until it has been properly repaired.”
The District Municipality also funds four clinics in the area and operates four licensing offices on an agency basis; however, general poor management and decaying infrastructure hampers the delivery of these services.
The Freedom Front Plus has requested Mayor, Lerato Maloka, to prioritise legal compliance and residents’ interests by setting aside internal ANC differences.
An enquiry to the SDM by Sedibeng Ster on this matter remains unanswered.
