Ratepayers of the Makhado Municipality have approached the new Limpopo MEC of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Soviet Lekganyane, in an effort to highlight their grievances against the local municipality.

The Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association (SRPA) stated in the letter, dated June 22, that they have done everything in their power to create a working relationship with the municipal officials “but due to what can only be considered as hidden agendas, especially as far as the permanent councillors are concerned, we are not succeeding at all”. The SPRA maintains that their vast resources of expertise are still available and “are there for the asking, free of charge.”

Three of the most serious problems mentioned in the letter to the MEC pertain to the financial management of the municipality.

The SRPA states that “the budget approved recently has a shortfall of R51 million, which is illegal”. No provision was made in the budget for dealing with the non-functioning sewerage plant. The budget awarded councillors an increase of 16,27% on their salaries which far exceeds the guidelines provided in the legislation. An amount of R35 million was budgeted for repairs and maintenance as opposed to R170.4 million for salaries.

The SRPA mentioned the lack of efforts to recoup the huge outstanding debts of residents in the R293 areas. They state that the municipality accepted a proposal to write off half of the outstanding debts.

The report of the Auditor–General, where he was unable to express an audit opinion on the municipality’s finances for a number of years, was mentioned.

Another serious problem mentioned is the “refusal of the Makhado Municipality to appoint suitably qualified and competent people in key positions” although the said positions had been advertised at a cost of R300 000. At the same time, a sixth full-time councillor was appointed “although the position had not been budgeted for”.

The town’s serious sewerage problems were emphasised in the letter.

The SRPA letter explained to Lekganyane how the association was established on March 19 two years ago to represent the residents of Louis Trichardt and surrounding areas because of the serious problems in terms of service delivery by the Makhado Municipality.

“Our members have given the SRPA a mandate to negotiate on matters of new rates and taxes, such as the inconsistently and incorrectly compiled valuator’s roll, poor service delivery such as potholes in the streets, non-functioning sewerage plant, inconsistent water supply, water unfit for human consumption, lack of consultation and financial and administrative maladministration,” said the SRPA Chairperson, Mr Frans Prinsloo.

The declaring of the dispute on August 26 last year was explained. After the declaring of the dispute there followed “a period of grace” requested by the municipality to address the said matters, promising to put solutions and plans, coupled with a budget and timeframe, on the table by January 15 this year. At the given date, no plans, budgets or time frames were provided and no meeting was held. The SRPA received a mandate from their member s to start withholding rates and taxes since March this year.

A meeting between the MEC and the Ratepayers on July 22 is envisaged.