North West Premier Thandi Modise has instructed the Provincial Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs to urgently investigate whether the R2,4 million expenditure that Matlosana Local Municipality is alleged to have earmarked towards the Mayoral Soccer Challenge is justifiable.
“Expenditure towards the venture should be measured against service delivery challenges facing communities and whether the municipality which was unable to meet its financial obligations a few months ago can now afford to host the challenge without sponsorship,” said Premier Modise.
It has come to the Premier’s attention that the City of Matlosana is planning to host the Soccer Challenge involving Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtics, Platinum Stars and Super Sport United on the 28th of this month at a cost of R2.4 million while expecting an income of only R192 000 from the event. Participating team are reportedly expecting to be paid an appearance fee of R300 000 per team.
The municipality has since April been opposed to Section 139 intervention limited to control of finances and deployment of administrators and experts after it failed to honour its statutory, financial obligations and incurred a long-standing debt with Eskom and Midvaal water board which resulted in two bulk services accounts being in arrears in excess of R100 million.
Matlosana is among municipalities in the province that are earmarked for support by the intervention team deployed by Minister of Public Service and Administration, Lindiwe Sisulu to turnaround ailing municipalities.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
