12 Feb 2019

Kweneng District councillors have approved the 2019/2020 proposed recurrent budget albeit with reservations.

Chairperson of finance committee, Mr Mathata Selaledi, presented the proposals in Molepolole on Thursday.

Though they endorsed the budget proposals, councillors expressed concern that the budget did not take into consideration the unique needs and challenges of sub-districts under Kweneng District Council.

Councillors from Mogoditshane/Thamaga complained that their sub-district faced challenges different from those of other sub-districts given its huge populace. 

They complained that their sub-district always got the smallest share of the budget. 

Gabane North East councillor, Mr Ofentse Mareme, echoed the same sentiments. 

He implored the council to hasten to address the challenges facing Mogoditshane Sub-district.  

He, however, pointed out that they would continue voicing out the concerns until a solution was found.

Gaphatshwa councillor, Mr Moemedi Mokgachane, argued that Thamaga/Mogoditshane Sub-district needed more staffing and projects because of its big population.

Mmankgodi North councillor, Mr Ofentse Mafoko and Thamaga West councillor, Mr Molatedi Selala, both from Mogoditshane/Thamaga Sub-district concurred that the sub-district was under resourced in terms of human resource despite servicing a huge population.

The two councillors also argued that it was time Mafenyatlala service centre was closed down because it was not offering any unique services, instead it was draining council coffers. 

In addition Councillor Selala said the fire station should be shut down as well as it was a financial liability.

 Earlier on, Mr Selaledi had said out of the proposed total proposed budget allocation of P445, 595,420 for 2019/20, over P89 million was proposed   for district headquarters and over P139 million for Molepolole Administration Authority (MAA/Lentsweletau) sub-district while Mogoditshane/Thamaga was to be allocated about P106 million.

Mr Selaledi further indicated that the tentative budget for the upcoming financial year of P445, 595,420 showed an increase of five per cent which translates to a little over P258 000 from the approved budget ceiling for the financial year 2018/19.  

He, however, indicated that revenue support grant constituted 94 per cent of the total income and own sources of revenue constituted six per cent.

The council secretary, Mr Golebaone Kgari, acknowledged councillors’ concerns over the budget.  

He, however, noted that outsourcing some council services could help to improve service delivery.  

He said they were reviewing some service providers contracts and would decide whether to continue with the service providers or not when their contracts end next year.

Mr Kgari stressed that councils should come up with own revenue generating projects to augment their income.  ends