Eight of the twelve North West municipalities whose equitable share was withheld by National Treasury have committed to fixing their financial problems. The commitments prompted a partial release of funds, with full allocations expected soon. Provincial officials will monitor recovery plans.
Eight municipalities in North West Province committed to complying with National Treasury requirements during a meeting convened by the provincial MEC for Treasury and the MEC for CoGHSTA. Provincial Cooperative Governance Head of Department Ben Bole said the municipalities, including their managers and CFOs, pledged to meet the conditions so that 100 percent of the withheld equitable share can be released.
Bole added that monitoring of the recovery plans will continue. National Treasury had withheld the funds due to financial mismanagement, poor governance and failure to meet financial rules.
Some residents welcomed the accountability measures. One resident noted repeated service failures and lack of accountability for mismanagement. Another pointed to drainage problems, lack of water and potholed roads in townships, saying the equitable share money should have addressed these issues.