Premier Ntombela hopeful about recovery of Municipalities after succesful engageemnts with Minister Mkhize
Following the release of 2015/16 MFMA Auditor General Report, which decried the state of Free State municipalities the Free State Provincial Government embarked on practical steps to try and remedy the situation. In the interim, a team involving the MECs for Treasury and CoGTA, leadership of SALGA and senior government officials was tasked to look at the state of local government.
In addition, the Free State Provincial Government, led by the Premier, Hon. Sefora ‘Sisi’ Ntombela held a successful engagement with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize and Deputy Ministers Hon. Andries Nel and Hon. Obed Bapela on 22 June 2018, in Mangaung.
“Local government is a priority for us because it is at the coalface of service delivery. We have never shied away from the facts before us, particularly the state of our municipalities. We have never hidden the fact that more could and should be done to improve our municipalities, and that is why when the Auditor General released his report, we immediately sought ways of addressing this matter,” Premier Ntombela said.
The Director-General of the Free State Provincial Government, Mr. Kopung Ralikontsane echoed the Premier’ sentiments; “We really appreciate the visit by the minister and his deputy. The mood was positive after our frank discussions and I am confident that we are soon going to see improvements in all our municipalities,” said Director General Ralikontsane.
The Free State Provincial Government will also convene a Local Government Indaba during the month of July to look at matters affecting this sector. This Indaba is intended to accelerate the momentum of trying to find lasting solutions to the issue.
Enquiries:
Tiisetso Makhele
Tel: 051 405 5799
Cell: 076 833 0033
E-mail: tiisetso.makhele@fspremier.gov.za or makhelets@live.com
