Note to broadcasters: Please find linked soundbites in English and Afrikaans by cllr Soret Viljoen
Following intense pressure from the DA in Tswaing, the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mr. Oageng Molapisi, seconded Mr. Sello Maroga to be appointed as acting Municipal Manager (MM) in Tswaing Local Municipality, replacing Mr. Boorman Phutiagae. (See press release.)
Mr. Maroga, who will fill this position until the disciplinary case against Mr. Deon Mere is finalised, steps into the proverbial lion’s den. Despite being under a Section 139(5) intervention since November 2021, Tswaing still faces major financial challenges that require serious action to turn the ship around.
Tswaing’s total outstanding debt is standing at R297 million. This includes an Eskom debt of R191 million as well as an outstanding amount of R44 million that was already deducted from the employees salaries but not paid to the pension fund.
To add on that, the revenue collection rate in Tswaing dropped from 63% in the 2022/23 financial year to 42% in 2023/24.
Organs of state, such as the SAPS, the Department of Public Works, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, etc. in total, owe Tswaing R25 million.
The municipality has an accumulated fruitless and wasteful expenditure balance of R1.6 billion as at 30 June 2024.
Almost 50% of prepaid electricity meters are non-operational.
A performance monitoring policy had been developed but not yet implemented at all levels of employees. There is no consequence management policy in place, and a verification process of employees against the payroll was conducted in June 2023, but the report is yet to be tabled in council.
Furthermore, the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) is putting extra pressure on Tswaing by not fulfilling its mandate as a water and sanitation authority, leaving Tswaing residents living with overflowing sewer drains and septic tanks. NMMDM owes Tswaing a further R38 million for Eskom accounts at boreholes, services, suppliers, salaries, and fuel the Tswaing Municipality carried on their behalf.
The DA Caucus of Tswaing will make an official appointment with Mr. Sello Maroga to discuss the financial position of Tswaing LM and a turn-around strategy to improve service delivery.