The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Mbombela Local Municipality (Mbombela/Nelspruit, Barberton, Hazyview, Kaapschehoop, Skukuza, White River) is deeply concerned by the utter lack of accountability and action to address the deepening financial crisis in the municipality.
The municipal management has been unable to come up with a solution to the outstanding debt for more than two years now.
Despite overwhelming evidence that provincial departments comprise a significant portion of the municipality’s debt, no decisive measures have been implemented to resolve the issue.
If ordinary residents fail to settle their municipal bills, they face the suspension of their services; it seems that government buildings and departments follow a different set of rules, though. Such double standards are unfair and unacceptable.
According to the latest figures, the Department of Public Works and Transport owes the municipality R110,6 million, clinics owe R31 million and schools R10,3 million. The outstanding debt owed to the municipality currently stands at more than R200 million – it is a crisis that warrants immediate intervention.
The Freedom Front Plus suspects that the leniency has to do with the fact that the defaulters are ANC departments.
Such unequal treatment raises serious concerns about fairness, accountability and political favouritism.
The Freedom Front Plus repeatedly submitted questions to municipal administration over the past few weeks and is now demanding that the Municipal Manager, Mr Wiseman Khumalo, and the Mayor, Ms Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, explain what steps will be taken to address this crisis at once.
The party will also table a motion regarding the matter with the next council meeting.
The party will keep monitoring the situation closely, and keep the public up to date with any progress or solutions.
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