The legislative mandate to ensure functional, effective, efficient and accountable local government institutions in the province took center stage when the North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Manketse Tlhape recently converged with both political and the administration leadership of all 23 Municipalities for her first annual MuniMec at the Orion Safari Lodge in Rustenburg.
MEC Tlhape said that communities rely heavily on municipalities to improve their living conditions and that municipalities should prioritize acceleration of provision for basic services as agreed in the service delivery improvement charter which was signed between the department, provincial Treasury and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).
“We really need to accelerate the manner in which we deliver basic service in our communities. We also need to improve on our Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) expenditure because we need that infrastructure to deliver basic services such as water, electricity and proper sanitation. This still remain one of our priorities, 100% expenditure on MIG will definitely ensure acceleration on basic services”, MEC Tlhape said.
“Phase two of the revenue enhancement project which focuses mainly on Data cleansing and Management will be implemented in Tswaing, Naledi, Ventersdorp, Lekwaa-Teemane, Mahikeng, Madibeng, Ditsobotla, Maquassi Hills and Matlosana Local Municipalities. Through this intervention we are rest assured that our municipalities will be able to put back into their coffers what is due to them” MEC Tlhape said.
“As far as performance, monitoring and municipal compliance is concern, we are deploying officials to work hand in glove with officials in municipalities and take them through the relevant processes to ensure that we improve on financial management in our municipalities”, MEC Tlhape said.
“Our relationship with stakeholders and sector departments needs a total revamp and the partnership with office of the premier to monitor and support intergovernmental relations structures to improve participation”, MEC Tlhape said. After intensive deliberation, clarity seeking questions, comments and recommendations, amongst other things it was resolved that:
- Internal Auditors should be afforded the opportunity improve the final audits outcome
- Executive Mayors or Mayors should convene bi-weekly meeting on an urgent basis to deal with repetitive audit findings, governance and leadership issues, leadership and governance.
- Auditor general’s action plan should be part of the council agenda
MEC Tlhape also acknowledged the contribution made by the Provincial Treasury under the leadership of MEC Paul Sebegoe, stating that their contribution has been nothing but magnificent in a strive to improve financial management in municipalities. MEC Tlhape also commended Premier Thandi Modise on her “Premier’s Legacy Project” which also aims to impact on the acceleration of delivering basic services in the province.
