PREMIER'S COORDINATING FORUM
One of the areas adversely affected is the Nkomazi municipality, where there is an exodus of people from Mozambique and Swaziland who flock into this municipality in search of greener pastures. The influx of illegal immigrants through the unguarded borders has a negative impact on the whole question of settlements in the Nkomazi municipality.
The PCF was also informed that all the 330 Ward committees in the Province have been formed and are in place. However, some of the challenges facing Ward Committees are the working relationships between the Office of the Speaker and the Executive mayors/Mayors, including their roles and responsibilities and the lack of calling of meetings. Other challenges are inadequate budgets, vastness of wards and the lack of transport.
In relation to the recruiting and training of Community Development Workers (CDWs) the PCF was informed that thus far 252 CDWs have been recruited and are in the process of being trained. A further 60 CDWs will be recruited at the cross-border municipalities as of 1 September 2005.
Another important issue that was discussed is the financial reports of municipalities. Only three municipalities had problems with regard to compiling and submitting financial statements. These were Emakhazeni, Lekwa and Nkomazi Municipalities. The major problems affecting the municipalities relate to the technical capacity to compile the financial statements, finalize bank reconciliation, to keep necessary audit, trail documents and to comply with the Generally Recognized Accounting Practice and standards for the compilation of financial statements.
In relation to the progress report on Project Consolidate, the Department of Local Government and Housing informed the PCF that an amount of R761, 804 was made available from the Department's budget for the repair of twenty one boreholes in 9 municipalities and the drilling of two boreholes in Steve Tshwete and Mbombela Municipalities, and also to purchase 37 water tanks in 6 municipalities.
Furthermore, the Department of Provincial and Local Government awarded an amount of R12m to six municipalities in Mpumalanga for the procurement of refuse removal equipment. These are; Albert Luthuli, Nkomazi, Thembisile, Lekwa, Emalahleni and Greater Tubatse. The progress on the procurement of the equipment and delivery has been completed except for Greater Tubatse.
The Department of Local Government and Housing also gave a progress report on the eradication of the bucket system in the Province. The project is in the Gert Sibande District Municipality where the bucket system prevails in the Province. The Dipaleseng (Siyathemba) Waterborne toilets are ready for handover. Secondly, other areas are expected to be completed by December 2005. Lastly, the Govan Mbeki and Delmas projects are expected to start by July and August 2005.
The total amount spent on the Eradication of Bucket System Project is R8, 5m of the R15m budget that represents 57% of total amount spent.
The Department of Transport and Roads informed the PCF about the National Cabinet decision on the national Taxi Recapitalization Project. This includes the scrapping of 10, 000 old taxis between 1 December 2005 and 31 December 2006. There will be a window period of three months for the taxi operators to register their intention. After the end of the window period old taxis will be impounded for unroadworthiness by the law enforcers and they would forfeit their taxis to the state without compensation and they will not receive the payment of R50, 000.
The PCF was also informed that the Province will not meet the deadline for the conversion of permits as only 340 have been issued and there are 7000 active taxi licenses in the provinces. A further 560 applications have been received by last week.
The PCF was requested to identify and prioritize over the next month key public transport infrastructure, facilities and projects for funding by municipalities and/or through the R3bn allocated for public transport improvements. Furthermore the MEC in liaison with the taxi industry, Department of Transport and municipalities will convene Taxi Indabas during August and September 2005. October is to be declared a public transport month and 20 October will be a public transport day when nationally citizens will be requested to abandon their cars and use public transport.
Issued by the Communication Chief Directorate
Office of the Premier
NELSPRUIT
Contact Lebona Mosia at 082 5616465/+27 13 7662244 lmosia@nel. Mpu.gov.za