Protest Action
Protest action has flared up in Merafong as municipal workers have blocked the council building with refuse removal trucks demanding payment for overtime work.
Workers at the protest claim that they have not been paid for the long hours of overtime that they have worked, citing that normal working hours are hampered by the unavailability of fuel and other tools they require to do their jobs.
Click here to view image.
Service delivery in the municipality has dropped to an all-time low with residents and businesses taking matters into their own hands by repairing potholes and cutting grass themselves.
Slow Service Delivery
Despite paying thousands of rands to the council to ensure that services are delivered, business in Carletonville have sent members of their own staff to repair damaged potholes in the area as the council refuses to do so.
Click here to view image.
These companies are also paying private security companies to guard substations to ensure that electricity is not disconnected.
Last year, a ring-feed cable was stolen, leaving some residents without power for up to seven months.
The cause of the slow delivery of services is due to the fact that the municipality claims that it does not have the resources to deliver on its mandate.
Municipal Public Accounts Committee
Merafong has one of the lowest collection rates in the province and instead of addressing its problems, it simply chooses to ignore them.
The financial mismanagement of this municipality has left its residents and businesses in a dire situation.
The DA insists that the Municipal Public Accounts Committee conduct an investigation into the financial mismanagement of this municipality. Residents of Merafong can no longer suffer under this uncaring ANC-led administration.
In DA governed municipalities, prudent financial management is executed to ensure that residents receive the services that they are constitutionally entitled to, but also that investors are attracted to the region to uplift and improve the quality of life for all.
Media Enquiries:
Ina Cilliers MPL
DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Merafong
060 556 4344
[Image source]