The “unacceptable and poor” service delivery of the Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley is the driving force behind a meeting to discuss ways of turning the situation around.
The meeting, hosted at the Horseshoe Inn at 17:00 on Wednesday (16/02), was organised by the Sol Plaatje Ratepayers’ Association.
Tumelo Mosikare, project manager, says it is a platform for business owners and residents to discuss proposed solutions and possible actions.
Meanwhile, the DA said in a statement that the escalating Eskom debt, along with empty coffers at the municipality, could spell dark days ahead for Kimberley.
Mosikare says everyone knows what is wrong.
“We must act now and change the city. The current municipal manager’s contract is ending soon, and we do not expect a capable person to be appointed. It is up to businesses to pressure the municipality in delivering the services that are being paid for.
“Government departments owe the municipality almost R800 million, yet their services are never cut like those of businesses and residents.
“Why is that? We want to meet with the municipal directors and ask to see the accounts of the different departments. We want to know why departments are not forced to pay and why the municipality is so lenient.
“Why can MECs intervene and prevent services to be cut from government departments, yet residents and businesses in arrears are duly penalised?”
Mosikare describes the dilapidated central business district as a “tragedy”.
“Some businesses have left the city. Two major clothing retailers have closed in this area, where hawkers are allowed to do business as they wish without permits. They litter and carelessly damage beautiful buildings. Despite bylaws, the municipality does not act.
“There is a total lack of accountability. Businesses who pay high rates do not get equitable services. When they do complain, they are given the runaround. No wonder so few legal actions are being taken against the municipality.
“Meanwhile, residents suffer without water supply, dirty water, power outages, sewage spills, rubbish everywhere and potholes.”
Mosikare says they are concerned about the municipality’s dire financial situation.
“How is it that most customers have prepaid meters, yet the municipality owes Eskom R400 million?”
Peet Louw, DA councillor, says the Eskom debt has ballooned.
“If Sol Plaatje does not act to urgently renegotiate a payment plan and adhere to it, Kimberley could be in for dark days due to debt-induced loadshedding. Eskom could also seek to freeze Sol Plaatje’s bank account, as it did with the Renosterberg Municipality. This will mean that, amongst other things, salaries won’t be paid. In addition to monies owed to Eskom, Sol Plaatje is also facing growing debt of over R100 million owed to the Water Board.
“To aggravate the already volatile situation, the municipality is not collecting sufficient revenue to cover its commitments. The municipality has been experiencing a monthly shortfall of close to R40 million for some time already.”
The newly elected government is already failing by rectifying these unsustainable and critical issues. Chaotic and unproductive council meetings also do not allow fruitful discussions on solutions for critical service delivery issues.
“We want to know what the municipality is doing in respect of debt that is older than 90 days. We also want to know why the debt has gotten so high, and find out the amount of outstanding monies owed to Sol Plaatje, by whom this money is owed and how Sol Plaatje is dealing with non-paying clients.”
- For information on the Sol Plaatje Ratepayers’ Association, residents can call Mosikare (071-111-5577), Louw van Reenen (082-777-2257), Jaime Goncalves (084-711-6201) or Hendrik Wessels (084-941-0755).
