Executive Council Media Statement

13 March 2025

EXCO OUTLINES MEASURES TO SUPPORT VICTOR KHANYE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

The Mpumalanga Premier, Mr Mandla Ndlovu convened a sitting of the Executive Council (EXCO) at the Victor Khanye Municipal Council Chamber in Delmas on Wednesday, to discuss support measures for the Municipality. The Premier is leading the 7th administration on a quest to strengthen state institutions in the province, including municipalities, in pursuit of the apex priorities.

In his remarks, Premier Ndlovu emphasized the role of municipalities towards the realization of the priorities, of driving an inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackle the high cost of living, as well as building a capable, ethical and developmental state.

The EXCO sitting was timely as the Provincial Legislature is hosting a week-long public participation programme of Taking the Legislature to the People (TLP) in Victor Khanye Local Municipality.

1. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
   
   The Victor Khanye Local Municipality is located between eMalahleni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga and Ekurhuleni Metro in Gauteng. Agriculture and mining are the backbone of the economy. Notably, they create multiple job opportunities for the communities.
   
   Economic opportunities are inadequate to absorb job seekers in a population which increased from 73 452 in 2011 to 106 149 in 2022. EXCO noted the high unemployment rate of 31.4 percent in the Municipality and emphasized the need to support measures for more job opportunities.
   
   Crime is also listed among the socio-economic challenges in the Municipality. Based on an analysis of the Provincial crime trends, EXCO concluded that the high unemployment rate fuels crime activities such as car hijackings, housebreaking and theft of public assets, some of which are sold at scrapyards.
   
   An analysis of service delivery indicates a high demand of water, due to the growing number of households in the Municipality. EXCO noted the high debts owed by the Municipality to Public Entities such as Rand Water, which supplies water, and Eskom which supplies electricity, and that the low collection revenue, exacerbate the financial challenges.


2. IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTIONS
   
   In addressing the broad range of socio-economic challenges, EXCO resolved to implement fundamental interventions. These include, but not limited to, the implementation of the Premier’s Youth Development Fund as one of the measures to reduce unemployment. So far the Provincial Government has supported eight youth-owned enterprizes in the Municipality, to the tune of R16 million, through the Youth Fund. Through this investment, 70 job opportunities have been created.
   
   A job massification programme will be implemented through initiatives such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), infrastructure development and support for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Projects for the refurbishment of roads, are already implemented in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) and the mining sector.
   
   Although the Municipality has set payment arrangements with both Rand Water and Eskom, EXCO has directed departments to pay outstanding debts owed to the Municipality. A team, consisting of various departments, led by the Director-General in the Office of the Premier, Ms Maggie Skosana has been established to work with the Municipality to develop the modalities of the payment. The team will present the plan in the next sitting of EXCO. It is envisaged that this support will enhance the municipality’s financial revenue for the payment of the debts, such as Rand Water and Eskom, for the sustainability of water and electricity without interruptions.
   
   To reduce crime levels, EXCO has directed the security cluster to deal decisively with criminal elements within the municipality by arresting the perpetrators. These include conducting unannounced search blitz, targeting crime hot spot areas.
   


3. APPOINTMENTS
   
   Several appointments were approved in a quest to achieve the targets of priority 3 of the 7th administration, of building a capable, ethical and developmental state. Most of the appointments are women at Senior Management level, to affirm the Provincial Government’s commitment to gender equity. Through the new appointments, Mpumalanga’s gender equity at Senior Management level, has increased to 63 percent.
   
   Premier Ndlovu asserted that the appointments are key to support government’s targets, such as the improvement of the Matric pass rate, from 84 to 100 percent. The appointments are with effect from 1 April 2025 and are as follows:
   
   
   Office of the Premier:
   
   
   • Mr. Peter Shube - Chief Director: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
   • Ms. Nancy Muroa - Chief Director: Policy Analysis and Research
   
   
   Department of Education
   
   
   • Ms. Lorraine Goba - Chief Director: Quality Promotion and Assurance
   • Ms. Hazel Ratshitanga - Chief Director: Physical Resource Management
   • Mr. David Mtembu - Chief Director: Planning and Programme Management
   • Ms. Nomathemba Mbiba - Director: Management Accounting
   • Mr. Isaac Zitha – Director: Principal - Mathematics, Science and Technology

ENDS...


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