The West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) recently approved an increase in councillor remuneration, despite serious financial challenges and warnings from the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) that the Municipality is already grappling with cash-flow problems and an unsustainable budget.
With more than 90% of its revenue derived from national and provincial grants, the WRDM should rather allocate its limited resources to essential service delivery.
Services such as firefighting, health and disaster management fall within the Municipality’s mandate; it is unacceptable to increase councillors’ salaries while residents are shelling out for poor services.
The Freedom Front Plus views this decision as characteristic of a council that does not prioritise the community’s interests.
Councillors are in the service of residents and have to ensure that financial resources are allocated to service delivery, not self-enrichment.
