The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has this week reiterated its firm commitment to work with Dipaliseng Local Municipality and all stakeholders to speed – up delivery of services in Balfour which has recently received a nod from the Public Protector.
The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi has outlined his plan to lead all the stakeholders who are working with the municipality to fast track the service delivery projects roll-out plan.
The residents of Balfour, under Dipaliseng Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, erupted into fierce community protests between 2009 and 2010 to voice their frustration with what they referred to as a slow or lack of service delivery by the municipality.
The disorderly protests which were characterised by frenzied violence attracted an investigation by the Public Protector who has recently handed her report to CoGTA minister. The Protector’s Glimmer of Hope report notes the service delivery progress in the area while highlighting areas that still need CoGTA ministry’s urgent attention.
This week, Minister Richard Baloyi re-affirmed the department’s service delivery commitments in Dipaliseng which includes executing the Public Protector’s recommendations contained in her Glimmer of Hope report. “We are committed to rallying all spheres of government to work together to ensure that Dipaliseng becomes an efficient, effective and responsive municipality,” Minister Baloyi says.
“Dipaleseng Local Municipality will be turned around and we are all getting our hands dirty to make sure that it occupies its place among the best in the country.”
The municipality will on the 23rd of this month give the Siyathemba community the title deeds as part of government service delivery intervention in the area. This follows community complaints about incomplete housing projects and a general lack of housing in the area.
