EXCO Media Statement

21 September 2022

EXCO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE STABILITY OF THE DR JS MOROKA MUNICIPALITY

The Executive Council of the Mpumalanga Provincial Government convened a sitting recently at the Dr JS Moroka’s Council Chamber. The municipality played host for the 3-day EXCO Outreach and Premier’s Imbizo last week. A visit to projects and an engagement with the various community structures was part of the programme, as a measure to address service delivery challenges.

During the sitting, vandalism and sabotage of the water infrastructure was cited as a major obstacle of government’s water delivery efforts to the local community. EXCO observed a trend in which electricity cables are cut off at the Siyabuswa Water Treatment Plant, leaving communities with no water.

EXCO vowed to pursue the matter by roping in law enforcement agencies, to arrest the perpetrators. An approach to mobilize communities to report acts of vandalism was adopted in accordance with concerted efforts to protect the infrastructure.

EXCO further warned people who hijack government projects through extortion of a thirty percent pay from appointed contractors, to desist from such illegal act. The Dr JS Moroka Municipality was cited among the municipalities in the country where such nefarious acts are prevalent. EXCO says this delays completion of service delivery projects within the stipulated period and negate government’s initiatives of improving the livelihoods of communities.

1. The stability in the Dr JS Moroka Municipality

A progress report about the state of the Dr JS Moroka Municipality was presented during the sitting. The report depicts an improvement in the functionality of the municipality, and highlights the following elements as evidence;


• Improved capacity of the Administration through the appointment of a Municipal Manager and filling of key vacancies. The process to fill other key outstanding positions, is yet to be finalized;
• 100 percent expenditure of the 2020/21 Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG);
• Improved number of households with access to electricity, piped water and approved application of the construction of 100 housing units;
• Effective public participation through IDP consultations and established Ward Committees.
The report further punctuates the municipality’s challenges which include, but not limited to, service delivery backlogs, such as water, sewer, road and poor audit findings from the Auditor-General (A-G).

EXCO directed the municipality to strengthen the functionality of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) and governance structures as a pathway towards the improvement of the audit findings. Furthermore, the municipality was directed to explore measures of safeguarding the water infrastructure.


2. Heritage day celebration

The Provincial Heritage day celebration will take place on the 24th of September 2022 at Mgobodzi village, Nkomazi Local Municipality. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Celebrating the Legacy of Solomon Linda and South Africa’s Indigenous Music”.

The Provincial Heritage day celebration was approved by EXCO. The display of cultural dances, sharing of African traditional food and wearing of cultural attires on Friday, ahead of the heritage day by all officials in the government complex will form part of the activities to promote the celebration.

EXCO emphasized the importance of displaying cultural dances that represent the diversity of cultures in Mpumalanga, on the day of the celebration.

Ends…



Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government
(A) Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: Mr George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile:083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za