13 Aug 2020

 Kweneng District councillors have approved the 2021/22  proposed recurrent budget estimates of more than P690 million.

After consultations with the district’s three sub-councils, through a special council session on August 10, the executive committee passed the proposed recurrent budget ceiling of more than P690 million for the 2021/22 financial year.

Presenting the budget estimates, finance committee chairperson, Councilor Mathata Selaledi indicated that the proposed budget was estimated at P690 149 030, an increase of 43 per cent from the 2020/21 budget of P481 065 710.

The budget estimates also included a revenue support grant of more than P667 million and own sources of revenue of about P22 million.

A budget cut of more than P25 million resulted in the council shelving some of its major projects, according to council secretary, Mr Goleba Kgari.

He said the council had proposed to start satellite fire stations, but had put the project aside.

Procurement of vehicles was also shelved due to budgetary constraints.

Nonetheless, Kweneng District Council prioritised maintenance and procurement of furniture in schools for the current financial year.

Mr Kgari emphasised that council spent about P450 per pupil.

This meant that the council spent over P24 million for the 54 000 learners in the district, which showed that education gobbled up the bulk of the council expenditure.

Furthermore,        Mr Kgari said the council would prioritise sanitation with particular emphasis to Mogoditshane due to its populace.

Councillors opined that more focus be placed on building new schools in the next financial year, because of the growing population in the district. ENDS