As the current Municipal Councils prepare to vacate offices after the forthcoming local government elections in October, Metsimaholo Local Municipality announced a budget of over R1, 6 billion for next financial year 2021/2022.
This municipality is still under Section 139 (1)(b) Administration as announced by the MEC for COGTA, Thembeni Nganxisa in February last year.
Tabling the budget this week in Sasolburg, Metsimaholo Executive Mayor Lindiwe Tshongwe announced that the operating revenue new financial year amounts to R1,633 billion and an operating expenditure of R1, 5 billion. The capital budget increases from R233.3 million in 2020/2021 to R259 million in 2021/2022 financial year.
The Executive Mayor mentioned that electricity and water are the primary source of the municipality’s income, which it stands at an average of 21 percent for electricity and an average of 31 percent for water per year over the medium term. Property rates contribute an average of 13 percent to the municipal income.
The projects that the municipality aims to undertake include, among purchasing of landfill site, installation of water meters for 2 537 residential sites at Themba Kubeka in Refengkgotso, replacement of old galvanized water pipes in Zamdela, construction of roads, upgrading of Zamdela cemetery and electrification of various houses.
The Executive Mayor said the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact not only on the public health system, but also on the municipality’s economy. “Many of our people in Metsimaholo have lost their jobs. Businesses have been forced to close, and as the community of Metsimaholo we need to remain part of the fight to overcome COVID-19.
“We are still in the midst of the pandemic, and the third wave of infections have already hit our province. This means that we cannot let down our guard for a moment”.
She added that since the inception of this council, that is led by a multiparty government signposts have been passed and landmarks reached in effort as the municipality to create a better life for all people. Among others, they include the construction of a 2 kilometer road in Ward 3 at Refengkgotso and upgrading the Waste Water Treatment Works in Ward 5 at Oranjeville, installation of 13 high mast lights and upgrading of the sewer pump station at Amelia and upgrading of the water pipes in Ward 11, Zamdela and the electrification 50 houses in Ward 10 Somers post, Zamdela.
Tshongwe said the municipality was also able to pay registration fees for 60 young people to the tune of R500 000 – 00 through the Nthute Mayoral Tertiary Funding at different tertiary institutions.
She appealed to those residents whose total income is R5 280 and less to register on the database of the indigent so they can benefit from free basic services programme.
“Our free basic services programme currently supports more than 13 thousand indigent households with 6 kiloliters free water, 50 kilowatt free electricity, free sanitation and free waste removal, as well as a 50 rand subsidy on property rates,” said the Executive Mayor.
She said the 2021/2022 budget is a true reflection of the municipality’s commitment to ensure to improve the lives of the people of Metsimaholo and push back the frontiers of poverty within a sound and sustainable fiscal framework and a determination to deliver basic services.
