The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is not surprised that the Auditor-General (AG) issued a qualified audit opinion to the Merafong Local Municipality (Carletonville, Fochville, Wedela) for the 2024/25 financial year.
Merafong’s financial and governance crisis is plainly evident.
The Municipality currently owes Rand Water and Eskom a combined R1,6 billion.
Due to repeated failure to honour repayment agreements, Rand Water reduced water supply by 40% over the past six months. This has left several high-lying areas with little or no water.
Eskom barely receives any monthly payments, resulting in daily power outages putting already fragile service delivery under even more strain.
Outdated infrastructure exacerbates the dire situation. Water losses of 34% were recorded in the past financial year, while electricity losses climbed to 48% due to illegal connections, vandalism and unmetered consumption.
Poor debt collection (only 51%) and an utter lack of political will to run the municipality successfully underscore the extent of maladministration.
The AG also noted unauthorised, irregular and fruitless or wasteful expenditure which needs to be addressed urgently.
Accountability enforcement is clearly absent and officials have to be held accountable.
Senior staff may no longer get away with poor decision-making without facing consequences.
The ANC has brought Merafong to its knees.
The only thing that can save it from utter ruin is a party such as the Freedom Front Plus – which always puts residents’ needs first while striving to ensure a functional municipality.
