THOHOYANDOU – The Thulamela Municipality has invested more than ten million rand for the development of more than 110 stands in extending Unit D of Thohoyandou.

According to the Municipal Manager, Mr Makonde Mathivha, the municipality has developed more than 110 stands in Unit D, which is the most established residential area in the municipality. Infra Buro, subcontracted by NW Civils, developed the stands.

Mathivha said they have already sold more than 50% of the stands within this month only. "Each of the stands was sold for approximately R45 000", he said. "We did that because we have realised that this type of service is needed by many people. We were also proved right because the same day we started to sell the stands, early this months we sold more than 50% of them, each to the average price of R45 000. We will use the money to do further extensions in the same area as the demand for that type of sites is very high," said Mathivha.

Mathivha also added that they would also spend R5 million to rehabilitate streets in the Thohoyandou Town, R2 million in Shayandima and another R2 million in Malamulele.

He said they would also spend R10 million in buying heavy machinery for maintenance, one machine for construction and a bulldozer worth R3 million. He said they will use the machines to maintain the roads within the municipality.

Mathivha also appealed to the community to look after the roads. "As the Christmas time is coming, many of our people burn tyres which damage the tarred roads and causes soil erosion. We appeal to them to stop that as it gives us a backlog in delivering services to them. However, we are happy that many of our communities are responding positively to the payment of services, which helps us to deliver services to them," said Mathivha.

Mathivha also revealed that they will have a council meeting on Wednesday next week, September 25 where the auditor general's report will be discussed.

The meeting will be held at the old parliament building in Thohoyandou. Also, the public is welcome to attend. The official handing over of the developed stands at Unit D will be made immediately after the meeting, which is scheduled for 11:00.