Release of the equitable share to compliant Municipalities
Following last week’s working session with the nine municipalities whose equitable shares were withheld, the Provincial Treasury is satisfied that six of the nine municipalities have complied with set conditions and as a result will have their equitable share released by Friday, 2 August 2019.
As a pre-condition for the release of the funds, municipalities had to convene special council meetings to adopt the twelve (12) resolutions in line with the directive of the Provincial Treasury. The six municipalities that have complied with set conditions are Ditsobotla, Kgetlengrivier, Naledi, Mamusa, Madibeng and Tswaing.
“We are happy that the six municipalities have complied with all the set conditions and this will lead to the release of the equitable share. Importantly, this will ensure the delivery of basic services to communities as municipalities will be able to meet their financial obligations,” says MEC For Finance, Ms Motlalepula Rosho.
With regard to Bojanala Platinum District, the district municipality adopted ten (10) of the twelve (12) resolutions and further engagements between the Provincial Treasury and the district municipality are continuing with the view of finalising all outstanding matters which would lead to the release of the equitable share. Part of the engagement with the district municipality includes discussions relating to the return of the R134 million which was erroneously transferred to the district municipality by the then Department of Local Government and Human Settlement in March 2019.
Maquassi Hills and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati are yet to convene their respective Council meetings and adopt the resolutions as directed by the Provincial Treasury, as a result their equitable share remains delayed. As part of the support programme, the Provincial Treasury is constantly engaging the two municipalities to ensure compliance with the directives so as to facilitate the release of the equitable share.
MEC for Finance, Ms Rosho has emphasised that the Provincial Treasury remains committed to supporting and capacitating all the municipalities with regard to the implementation of the set conditions with the sole purpose of ensuring sound financial management, good governance and enhanced accountability for the ultimate realisation of delivery of basic services to the communities.
